THE 



UNIVERSE 



AND THB 



STARS 



Where ends the range and limits have been set 
To mortal eyes, there mental sight begins 
To fathom space, and worlds invisible 
Surveys, admires 

The mind must feel that space can have no bounds, 
Whatever number be of things or thoughts 
Others may be beyond — and thus behind 
The Nebulas and Belts, our Galaxies 
Of stormy clouds and oceans ..... 
There stands the central land and throne 
Of our wide Universe, the home of Angels, 
The seat of Love Divine 

R A FINES QUE PoCm OU INSTABILITY. 



THE UNIVERSE 

ATTD 

THE STARS, 

Being an Original theory on the visible 
Creation^ founded on the laws of Nature^ 

4 

BY THOMAS WRIGHT. 



FIRST AMERICAN EDITION, 

FROM THE LONDON EDITION OF 1750, 

IVITH NOTES 

BY C- S. RAFIl^ESftlJE, 

Prof, of historical and natural Sciences. 



One Sun by day, by night ten thousand shine 
J3nd light us deep into the Deity* 

Dr. Young, 



PHILADELPHIA: 

1837. 

PRINTED FOR CHARLES WETHERILL, 

By B. Frobasco, 119, North Fourth-street, below Callouhill, 
And sold by the principal Booksellers. 



■jB^^ 



91 



TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC. 

In publishing this valuable work on Astro- 
nomy, we are induced from various reasons to 
dedicate it to the American people. Ancient 
History furnishes evidence of the power with 
which the Egyptian priests, through their com- 
prehensive views of science, exercised in the 
controul of man ; and as knowledge is power^ 
and in our republic, as power is confided to the 
care of the people, it is necessary that they 
should be correctly informed of vital points, so 
that they may avoid vital errors. The boasted 
learning of Greece and Rome, and of the sacred 
Historian Moses was derived from Egypt, for 
we are told Moses was learned in all the wis- 
dom of the Egyptians : and even the Grecian 
Thales was a student under the Egyptian priest- 
hood ; not to mention many other learned Phi- 
losophers who sought the shades of the Egyp- 
tian Sanctuary to draw from its concealed lore 
the Treasures of wisdom. Astronomy with this 
nation was the chief source from whence de- 
scended those fruitful views that made Egypt 
the wonder of the world, and the enduring mo- 
numents of their advance in science even now 
tower in Pyramids on the deserts, and have 
more than once been the silent 7nonitors to the 
world^s conquerors. 

Our Author Thomas Wright of Durham, 
England, in the pursuit of natural deductions 
from known laws, after fifteen years devotion to 
the subject, published to L18 subscribers of the 
reverend clergy and nobles of England, his 
views and theory. In his contemplations and 

1 



2 DEDICATION* 

deductions, he has evinced a liberality with ex- 
pansion of thought and conception, that would 
honour the brightest days of Egyptian glory; in 
fact, he has so far as the work goes, revived 
in his days (1750) the ancient Egyptian know- 
ledge of the subject ; it must appear singular to 
American ears, that this learned Author is not 
even honoured with a notice in any works, we 
have been permitted to search of English ori- 
gin. But this will not on reflection surprise, 
when we reflect that the policy of that Country 
has been to advance the views and opinions of 
Newton, and tie down the mind only to the Ma- 
thematical measures of her favoured Mathema- 
tician, not Astronomer. But our Author, in 
disdaining the narrow constructed algebraic 
Newtonian standard, has in his powerful mental 
vision, penetrated space, with the wisdom of an 
Ancient Sage, and introduced his reader to a 
just and expanded conception of the GREAT 
SUPREME BEING ; and even so far as in- 
ference from known laws can demonstrate, 
shown all the wonders of the universal space to 
be emanations of This only GOD. 

If it is important to man to have in the social 
compact under which he choses to exist, a just 
conception of his relationship to those around 
him, and a general dependance upon the Great 
God, then words that will elevate his mind to 
the bright conception of the millions of worlds 
that deck the blue expanse, and demonstrate 
that they all are emanations of God, have an 
important bearing upon his actions, and must 
move his heart to charitable acts of benevolence 
to his kind. That this neglected volume by 
calling attention to this important branch of 
knowledge may be instrumental in the grand 



DEDICATION. 3 

result is an inducement to its publication. And 
as education is particularly under the protec- 
tion of our Legislatures, the work will hint 
most broadly the kind of education which will 
result in practical advantage to common man. 
Even in America, the boasted land of freedom, 
no views of science except such as are founded 
on Newtonian degmas are allowed the protection 
of our great schools. And it is customary for 
such learned professors to brand with the names 
of strange views of science, all productions of 
intellect, not based upon their lauded author^ 
But it is glaringly a fact, that society without the 
pale of the Colleges, is far, very far, in advance 
of the boasted knowledge of the schools, and the 
public ere long will, nay, do now demand, the 
meeting freely of all the branches of knowledge 
in their fullest extent, and in the plainest pos- 
sible manner. 

In as much as I have been for the last two 
years engaged in the production of a work 
on the electric theory of the solar system, and 
the laws of motion as applied to the hea- 
venly bodies, showing their joint controul of 
tides, oceans, streams, winds, &.C., and consid- 
ering my views as properly a continuation of the 
labours of our learned Author : preparatory to 
my intended publication, I do issue this work 
to demonstrate that I am not singular in my 
views, but have even the support of a very 
learned English Author. 

C. Wetherill. 



PREFACE. 



OF THli: AMERICAN EDITOR. 

Human knowledge appears to have been 
liable to many eclipses and revivals, from the 
earliest days to our times. Many discoveries 
and observations have been made in all ages, 
forgotten since, and gradually recovered. If 
v^e now boast of great modern improvements in 
scientific and mechanical philosophy, we may 
lament that there is yet ample stores of hidden 
knowledge to be restored or acquired. 

Both Americas were well known to several 
nations of the Eastern Hemisphere in ancient 
times, when colonized by them ; but this histo- 
rical fact was since forgotten for ages ; and has 
even been deemed doubtful from Columbus time 
till lately. 

Such positive fact is the sad picture of our 
aberrations and neglect of ancient knowledge, 
in Religion, Morals, History, Sciences and Arts. 
Among all the ancient Sciences, that of Astro- 
nomy, which was intimately connected with the 
patriarchal primitive Religion, and Zabeism 
the corruption of it, had experienced a sad de- 
generation during many ages; when the Earth 
was made a plane or convex centre of the Uni- 
verse, borne on the waters or on the back of a 
turtle ! It is only at the revival of learning a few 
centuries ago that this noble science, the best 
leader to GOD, has been made to assume a 
new aspect ; altho' partly obscured by the phy- 



PREFACE. d 

^ical and mathematical superfluities that often 
encumber it. 

Several worthy men deeply impressed with 
the belief that there is yet much knowledge to 
be revived, further spread or increased, have 
formed themselves, this very year 1837, into a 
free association for the purpose of restoring, 
spreading and increasing knowledge of all kind 
and on all topics. This American Institute 
OF LEARNING although hardly organized as yet, 
has at the outset already devised or contrived 
many useful plans, to be gradualy matured and 
effected. To the members of it will be due the 
foundation of an Eleutherium of Knowledge 
or free school of useful knowledge, an extensive 
mutual library and museum, and the gradual 
publication of valuable works on all the branches 
of human knowledge. 

The first attempt and step in the last contem- 
plated object, is the publication of this work, in 
order to revive the highest astronomical know- 
ledge of 100 years ago, that has unaccountably 
been totaly neglected by the ploding scholars 
and teachers ever since. 

As early as 1734, Thomas Wright of Dur- 
ham in England Prof of natural philosophy and 
mathematics, devised two large views of the 
Celestial Mansions (one 18 feet long, another 9 
by 6,) and in 1750 he published the actual val- 
uable work, his original theory of the Universe, 
in which he states to have formerly published 
a Clava Celestis or Celestial key (see letter 
3d) on the motions of the Planets, Comets and 
Stars. 

The exact title of his theory was — An origi- 
nal theory or new hypothesis of the universe^ 
found upon the laics of nature^ and solving 



6 PREFACE. 

by mathematical principles the general phe^ 
nomena of the visible creation ; and particu- 
larly the Via Lactea: comprised in nine fa- 
miliar letters, and illustrateil with upwards of 
thirty graven and mezzotinto plates by the 
best masters — By Thomas Wright of Dur- 
ham — London, printed for the Author, and sold 
by H. Chapelle in Grosvenor Street, 1750 — one 
volume thin quarto. 

It appears that this work was printed by sub- 
scription and in the list of 118 Subscribers, are 
found the names of many Noblemen, the Dukes 
of Bedford, Beaufort, Norfolk, Portland, Earls 
of Jersey and Pembroke, Lords Anson, Corn- 
wallis, North, &c, with many Clergymen and 
Doctors. 

There are 33 fine quarto plates, some of 
which are highly finished and beautiful, partic- 
ularly those representing the Galaxy or Milky 
Way, the Pleiades, Persides &.c. Plate 16, per- 
spective of the visible creation — Plate 31 finite 
view of the infinity of Starry Systems, and Plate 
32, the section of the same. 

In the frontispiece there is a large likeness 
of the Author, with the emblem of Eternity, the 
snake biting its tail. This picture represents 
Thomas Wright with very handsome features, 
and an intellectual forehead that would please 
the followers of both Lavater and Spurzheim. 

We deem those letters quite equal to those 
of Fontenelle on the plurality of worlds, and 
Euler's on physical Astronomy : nay, we might 
venture to claim for them a higher rank yet ; 
since they dive deeper into infinite space and 
lead us nearer to the threshold of the central 
throne of GOD. Their style is not very ela- 
borate nor florid ; but easy and famihar, besides 



PREFACE* 7 

being enlivened by many poetical quotations. 

But it is the facts and results, views and de- 
ductions they evolve, that mainly deserve our at- 
tention. Thus it appears that 87 years ago, 
many of the later discoveries and surmises of 
Lambert and Herschell, had been anticipated 
by this keen observer, altho' we are not aware 
that they ever referred to him. We find there 
besides, some peculiar facts and observations 
not generally known, nor recorded in the annals 
of science, and we are led by this Author to the 
most expansive, sublime and religious concep- 
tion of the Universe or Infinite Creation. This 
alone would stamp the work with sterling merit 
and deserves to recomend it to all those who 
wish to know GOD and his works. 

Yet it is probably owing to this very merit, 
that our worthy Author has met with total ne- 
glect at the hands of his blinded countrymen. 
We have not yet found him quoted any where, 
and a Philosopher and Astronomer, equal to 
Plato, Copernic, Newton and Herschell, was to 
this day nearly unknown, until we found his 
work, and determined at once to restore him to 
life and fame, as an earnest of what we may yet 
do in the great undertaking to restore, spread 
and increase useful knowledge. Can we begin 
better, than by unfolding at once the hidden se- 
crets of the everlasting creation of the Heavens? 
before w^e stoop to our paltry sphere, and the 
human ants crawling on it for a few years. 

We have sought in vain for an account and 
biography of this worthy sage, in the best Eng- 
lish works. He is neither found in Rees Cy- 
clopedia, nor in the general Biographical Dic- 
tionary in 15 volumes. We have only found an 
account of Edward Wright another Astronomer, 



8 PREFACE. 

who died in 1615, and may have been his ances- 
tor ; yet Thomas Wright certainly deserved as 
much notice. Was this omission wilful or ac- 
cidental ? However, he lives as yet in this im- 
perishable work, altho' gone to GOD or one 
of the Heavens, he was allowed to have a 
glimpse of. 

This first American edition of this sublime 
work, is necessarily imperfect, as we have been 
compelled to omit the plates ; but this deffect 
will be obviated at a future period, when we 
mean to have them engraved and published 
apart. 

We have taken the liberty to modernize the 
orthography of a few words, which have already 
undergone an alteration, within less than 100 
years : we have also changed the style of print- 
ing all substantive nouns with Capitals. As to 
the notes we have generally inserted them in 
the text, between brackets. Our own notes to 
the nine Letters will be added at the end ; they 
are intended to illustrate some passages, and to 
point out what really belongs to this Author, or 
has since been borrowed by others from him. 

We hope the American public, or at least the 
part thereof who are readers, willing to study 
the highest kind of Lore and lost knowledge, 
may profit by the perusal of these pages. If 
they avail themselves of the means therein un^ 
folded, to expand their souls to the knowledge 
of GOD, and become good and wise as HE 
wishes us to be, our aim will be attained. 

Philadelphia, May 1st. 1837. 

C. S. Rafinesque. Editor. 



PREFACE 

OF THE AUTHOR 



The Author of the following Letters hav- 
ing been flattered into a belief, that they may 
probably prove of some use, or at least amuse- 
ment to the world, he has ventured to give them, 
at the request of his friends, to the public. His 
chief design wdll be found an attempt to^vards 
solving the phsenomena of the Via Lactea, and 
and in consequence of that solution, the fram- 
ing of a regular and rational theory of the known 
universe, not before attempted by any. But 
he is very sensible how difficult a task it is to 
advance any new doctrine with success, those 
who have hitherto attempted to propagate as- 
tronomical discoveries in all ages, have been 
but ill rewarded for their labours, though finally 
they have proved of the greatest benefit and 
advantage to mankind. This ungrateful lesson 
we learn from the fate of those ingenious men, 
who, in ignorant times, have unjustly suffered 
for their superior knowledge and discoveries; 
they who first conceived the Earth a ball, were 
treated only with contempt for their idle and 
ridiculous supposition, as it w as called ; and he 
who first attempted to explain the Antipodes, 
lost his life by it ; but in this age philosophers 
have nothing to fear of this sort, the great dis- 
advantages attending authors now, are of a 
widely different nature, arising from the infinite 

2 



10 PREFACE. 

number of pretenders to knowledge in this sci- 
ence, and much is to be apprehended from im- 
proper judges, though from real ones nothing ; 
for nothing is more certain than this, as much 
as any subject exceeds the common capacity of 
readers, so much will the work in general be 
condemned ; the air of knowledge is prone in 
finding fault, and this vain pretence generally 
leads people, who have no real foundation for 
their judgment to argue from, to ridicule what 
they are too sensible they do not understand. 
Thus the same disadvantages too often attend 
both in public and private an exceeding good 
production equally the same as a very bad one : 
but the author is not vain enough to think this 
work without faults, he has rather reason to fear, 
from the w eakness of his own capacity, that 
there may be many ; but he hopes the design of 
the whole will, in some measure, plead for the 
imperfection of the parts, if the merits of the 
plan should be found insufficient for his full par- 
don, in attempting so extensive a subject. 

In a system thus naturally tending to propa- 
gate the principles of virtue, and vindicate the 
Laws of Providence, we may indeed say too lit- 
tle, but cannot surely say too much ; and to make 
any further apology for a work of such nature, 
vs^here the glory of the Divine Being of course 
must be the principal object in view, would be 
too like rendering virtue accountable to vice for 
any author to expect to benefit by such excuse. 
The motive which induces us to attempt of any 
performance where no good reason can be sup- 
posed to be given for the omission, or neglect of 
it, will always be judged an unnecessary pro- 
mulgation, and consequently every attempt to- 
wards the discovery of truth, the enlargement 



PREFACE. 1 1 

of our minds, and the improvement of our un- 
derstandings will naturally become a duty. If 
therefore this undertaking falls short of being 
instrumental towards the advancing the adora- 
tion of the Divine Being in his infinite creation 
of higher works, and proves unable to answer 
all objections that may possibly arise against it, 
yet will its imperfections appear of such a na- 
ture to every candid reader, as to afford the 
Author a sufficient apology for producing them 
to the world : and it is to be hoped farther, that 
where a work is entirely upon a new plan, and 
the beginning, as it were, of a new Science, be- 
fore unattempted in any language, the Author 
having dug all his ideas from the mines of nature, 
is surely intitled to every kind of indulgence. 

To those who are weak enough to think that 
such enquiries as these are over-curious, vain 
and presumptive, and would willingly, suitable 
to their own ignorance and comprehension, set 
bounds to other people's labours, I answer with 
Mr. Huygens, '' That if our forefathers had 
been at this rate scrupulous, we might have been 
ignorant still, of the magnitude and figure of the 
Earth; or that there was such a place as America: 
we should not have known that the Moon is en- 
lightened by the Sun's rays, nor what the causes 
of the eclipses of each of them are ; nor a multi- 
tude of other things brought to light by the late 
discoveries in Astronomy ; for what can a man 
imagine more abstruse, or less likely to be 
known, that what is novv as clear as the Sun." 

Had we still paid that homage to a name, 
Which only God and Nature justly claim ; 
The western seas had been our utmost bound, 
Where Poets still might dream the sun was drown'd ; 
And all the stars that shine in southern skies ; 
Had been admir'd by none but savage eyes. 

Dryden. 



12 PKErACE. 

Besides the nobleness and pleasure of these 
studies, Wisdom and Morality are naturally 
advanced, and much benefitted by them, and 
even religion itself receives a double lustre, "to 
the confusion of those who w^ould have the earth, 
and all things formed by the shuffling concourse 
of atoms, or to be without beginning." In as- 
tronomy, as well as in natural philosophy, though 
we cannot positively affirm every thing we say 
to be facts and truth, yet in so noble and sub- 
lime a study as that of Nature, it is glorious, as 
Mr. Huygens says, even to arrive at probability. 

Notwithstanding then the disadvantages which 
ever have attended all new discoveries, either 
through the ignorance of the age, or the univer- 
sal passion of ridicule in such contented crea- 
tures, as can't comprehend, yet ever attacking 
with a fool-hardy resolution, the advancing en- 
signs of knowledge, if ignorance was virtue, and 
wisdom vice ; I say, regardless of this noisy 
shore, it is sure our duty to spring forward, and 
explore the secret depths of infinity, and the 
wonderful hidden truths of this vast ocean of 
beings. -But how the heavenly bodies were made, 
when they were made, and what they are made 
of, and many other things relating to their en- 
tity, nature, and utility, seems in our present 
state not to be within the reach of human phi- 
losophy ; but then that they do exist, have final 
causes, and were ordained for some wise end, 
is evident beyond a doubt, and in this light most 
worthy of our contemplation. 

He who through vast immensity can pierce, 

See worlds on worlds compose one universe, 

Observe how system into system runs, 

What other planets, and what other suns; 

What varied beings peoples ev'ry star ; 

May tell why heaven made all things as they are. 

Pope, 



PREFACE. 13 

To expect that so new an hypothesis should 
meet with universal approbation, would be an 
unpardonable vanity ; nor is it reasonable every 
reader should think the Author obliged to re- 
move all his prejudices and partialities, so far as 
to give him the perfect picture of the universe 
he likes best. In many cases it would be so far 
from being better for the world, if all men judged 
and thought alike, that providence seems rather 
to have guarded against it as an evil, than any 
how to have promoted it as a general good : but 
the following theory regards the whole rather 
than individuals : and the many worthy Authors 
cited in the work who have all greatly favored 
this extensive way of thinking, will, I hope, be a 
sufficient excuse for forming these obvious con- 
jectures into a theory, especially where so great 
a problem is attempted as the solution of the 
Via Lacteal phsenomenon, which has hitherto 
been looked upon as an insurmountable difficul- 
ty. How the Author has succeeded in this point, 
is a question of no great consequence; he has 
certainly done his best ; another, no doubt, will 
do better, and a third perhaps, by some rational 
hypothesis, may perfect this theory, and reduce 
the whole to infallible demonstration: The first 
system of the solar planets was far from a true 
one, but it led the way to perfection, and the last 
we can never too much admire. It is well known, 
that the first system of the planets was also but 
a conjecture, yet none will deny that it was a 
happy one. 

The discovery of the magnet poles ; the go- 
vernment of the tides ; proportional distance and 
periods of the planets, &.c. have all their uses, 
and undoubtedly were designed to be known. 
Ignorance is the disgrace of mankind, and sinks 



14 PREFACE. 

human nature almost to that of reptiles. Know- 
ledge is its glory and the distinguishing charac- 
teristic of rational creatures. 

To enquiries of this sort, then sure we may 
say with 3IiUon, that 

god's owk eau listens delighted. 

The subject is, no doubt, the noblest in na- 
ture, and as such, will always merit the atten- 
tention of the thinking part of mankind. Men 
of learning and science, in all ages, have ever 
made it their pecuhar study. Toward the lat- 
ter end of the republic, and afterwards in the 
more peaceable times of Trajan and the 
Plinys^ we have no reason to doubt but that 
Astronomy was in the highest reputation : and 
notwithstanding Greece had been the chief seat 
of the philosophers, yet may we suppose Rome 
in those days little inferior in the knowledge of 
the stars, when we find men of the first figure in 
life become Authors upon the subject. 

[Cicero translated the Phsenomena of Aratus 
into Latin verse. Julius Caesar, as Pliny 
relates, wrote of Astronomy in Greek, and is 
said to have left several books of the motion of 
the stars behind him, derived from the doctrine 
of the Egyptians, Ant, Chris, 45. He with 
Sosigenes reformed the Roman year, which 
was first invented by Numa Pompilius, Ger- 
manicus C^sar also translated Aratus^ Phse- 
nomena into Latin verse Anno Dom, 15. Ti- 
herius and Hadrian are also said to have 
written on Astronomy.] 

We have many instances to shew, that As- 
tronomy was in the greatest repute amongst the 
ancients of all ranks, and almost every where 
looked upon as one of the greatest, if not as one 



PREFACE. 15 

of the first qualifications of tlieir best men. As 
a confirmation of which, we find in the histori- 
cal accounts of the Argives, a very warm con- 
test betwixt the two sons of Pelops 1205 years 
before Christy thus testified by Lucian : w hen 
the Argives, by public consent, had decreed 
that the kingdom should fall to him of the two, 
who should manifest himself the most learned 
in the knowledge of the stars, Thyestes there- 
fore is said to have made known to them, the 
constellation, or sign of the Zodiack calPd 
Aries : but Atreus at the same time discover- 
ing to them the course of the Sun, with his va- 
rious rising and setting, demonstrating his mo- 
tion to be contrary to that of the heavens, diurnal 
motion of the stars, was thereupon elected king. 

[Hence arose the fable of the sun's going 
backwards in the days of Atreus^ as if struck 
with abhorrence of his bloody banquet. Vide 
Ovid^s metamorphosis.] 

To recite more of the most eminent patrons 
and professors of this kind of learning here, will 
carry me too far from my present purpose ; for 
farther information therefore, I shall refer the in- 
quisitive reader, to that curious catalogue in 
Sherhurn's sphere of Manilius, where so 
many ruling men of all ages and nations swell, 
and illustrate the number. 

[Seven Emperors, nine Kings, and as many 
sovereign Princes. Charlemagne wrote Ephe- 
merides^ and named the months and winds in 
High Dutch, 770. Rich, II. <fec.] 

In a word, when we look upon the universe 
as a vast infinity of worlds, acted upon by an 
eternal agent, and crowded full of beings, all 
tending through their various states to a final 
perfection, and reflect upon the many illustrious 



10 PREFACE. 

personages, who have, from time to time^ 
thought it a kind of duty to become observers, 
and consequently admirers of this stupendious 
sphere of primary bodies, and diligent enquirers 
into the general lav^^s and principles of nature, 
who can avoid being filled with a kind of en- 
thusiastic ambition, to be acknowledged one of 
the number, who, as it were, by thus adding his 
atom to the whole, humbly endeavours to con- 
tribute towards the due adoration of its great 
and divine Author. 

I judge it will be quite unnecessary to say 
any thing about the order of the work, since that 
would be only a repetition of the table of con- 
tents, to which the reader is referred, as to the 
properest account that can here be given. 



LETTER I. 

Opinions of the most eminent Authors^ whose 

Sentiments on the folloicing Subject have 

been published in their Worhs, 

Sir, 

Reflecting upon the agreeable conversa- 
tion of our last meeting, which you may remem- 
ber chiefly turned upon the Stars, and the na- 
ture of the planetary bodies ; a subject, which 
is generally allowed to give true pleasure to all 
those who take delight in mathematical enqui- 
ries; and having not a little regard to the repeated 
request in your late letters : I have at length 
undertaken to explain to you, as far as I am 
able, my theory of the Universe^ and the ideas 
I have formed of the known creation. 

The hypothesis upon which this new Astro- 
nomy is founded, and now reduced into a regu- 
lar system, was the result of my Astromomical 
studies full fifteen years ago, hence I hope you 
AAill allow, I have more than observed Horace^s 
celebrated aphorism, 

No7iumque prernater in aniiutn. 

[The first scheme of this hypothesis was 
planed in the year 1734, representing in a sec- 
tion of the creation, eighteen feet long and one 
broad, several thousand w orlds and systems, and 
a great number of emblematical figures, now in 
the Author's possession, together with a scheme 

3 



18 LETTER I. 

of the entire creation, completed since, nine feet 
long and six broad, more fully illustrating upon 
the same construction the innumerability of sys- 
tems and worlds.] 

The subject I have often observed, you have 
listened to with a pleased attention, and I am 
the more encouraged to explain it at large to 
you, as I am persuaded you don't want to be 
convinced of its valuable uses and importance. 

I remember you have often told me, that to 
apply ourselves to the study of nature, was the 
surest and readiest way to come at any tolerable 
kowledge of ourselves, however difficult the task 
might prove either in the attempt, or the attain- 
ing it, and the less to be neglected, as it never 
fails to introduce a proper knowledge of the 
Divine Being, as a certain consequence along 
with it, and such a knowledge, as wjU naturaliy 
make every man, who has but a tolerable share 
of common sense, and is not a slave to another's 
reason, without any other evidence or motive, in 
all stations, and under all circumstances. Act 

JUSTLY, LIVE CHEERFULLY, and DIE full of hopC 

in the expectation of a happy sequel, in Fu-^ 
turity. 

Eternity is written in the skies : 
Mankind's Eternity, nor Faith alone ; 
Virtue grows there 

Dr. Young. 

A learned Author on the attributes, recom- 
mending these studies as a reasonable and 
moral service, says, " Sure, it is most becoming 
such imperfect creatures as we are, to contem- 
plate the works of God with this design, that we 
may disern the manifestations of wisdom in 



LETTER I. 19 

them ; and thereby excite in ourselves those 
devout affections, and that superlative respect, 
which is the very essence of praise." 

Who turns his Eye, on Nature's midnight faee^ 

But must enquire what hand beliind the scene, 

What Arm Almighty, put these wheehng globes 
In motion, and wound up the vast machine ? 

The enchanting idea Milton had of the sub- 
jects of Astronomy, whose truly stiblime way of 
thinking and writing perhaps was never so near- 
ly equalled, or attempted before this reverend 
Author's Night-Thoughts appeared, is finely 
shown in the eighth book of his Paradise Lost, 
where he makes his Adam^ so earnestly atten- 
tive to the angel Gabriel, as to cease relating 
the mysteries of creation. 

The Angel ended, and his ^^dam's ear 
So charming left his voice, that he awhile 
Thought him still speaking ; still stood fix'd to hear. 

Milton^ s own ideas of the universe too, which 
no doubt he had gathered from astronomical 
authors, and had reconciled himself to, we are 
fully made acquainted with in the same book, 
where the Arch-angel says, in answer to Adam'^s 
enquiries. 

Other Suns perhaps 

With their attendant Moons thou wilt descry, 
Conomunicating male and female light, 
Which two great sexes animate the world, 
Stor'd in each orb, perhaps with some that live ; 
For such vast room in nature, unpossest 
By living soul, desert and desolate, 



20 LETTER I^ 

Only to shine, yet scarce to contribute 
Each orb a glimpse of light, convey M to far 
Down to this habitable, which returns 
Light back to them, is obvious to dispute. 

But before I presume to plan my own dis- 
coveries and conjecture into a theory, both in 
justice to those who have in some measure been 
in the same way of thinking, and also as a de- 
fence of myself for producing so new an hypo- 
thesis to the world, which otherwise (though any 
apology made to you I know will be unnecessary) 
may appear to too many but an idle Chimera 
of my own. I judge it will be highly proper, by 
way of strengthening my own arguments, and 
adding more weight to what I shall myself ad- 
vance in the following letters, to give you in this 
the opinions of the most able writers, whose 
works I have read upon the subject. I mean so 
far as relates to the now general received notion 
that the Stars are all Suns, and surrounded with 
planetary bodies, with which I shall set out ; and 
shew you, it is not a thing merely taken for 
granted, but has ever been the concurrent no- 
tion of the learned of all nations, as shall be fur- 
ther shewn, in its proper place, and as nearly as 
possibility will admit of, demonstrated to be 
truth. 

The following is an extract from Mr. Toland, 
in his account of the works of Jordanus 
Bruno. 

" The divine efficacy (says this Author in his 
infinite creation) cannot stand idle, without the 
want of will or power ; but any imbecillity in 
such a being argues imperfection, and since any 
finite produce compared with infinity is as no- 
thing, or rather as the beginning of good, it 



LETTER I* 21 

must be no less idle, and invidious in producing 
a finite effect, than in producing none at all. 

" Hence, as all finites, singly considered, are 
but as commencements of something more to be 
expected. 

•' Omnipotence, in making the creation finite, 
will appear to be no less blameable for not being 
able, to make it otherwise ; i. e, infinite agent 
upon a finite subject, which is repugnant to 
reason." 

It follows then, that creation must be not only 
extensively, but intensively indefinite, and be- 
yond the reach of the human understanding to 
comprehend ; and that the one is as necessary 
as the other, i, e, an infinite expanse is as re- 
concileable to our reason, as infinite parts are to 
our senses. 

All the attributes of the Divine Being are, as 
any one of them, incomprehensible to his crea- 
tures ; why should our imagination then be sup- 
posed to extend beyond the divine activity ? 

" Thus, adds the above Author, the excellency 
of God is adequately magnified, and the gran- 
deur of his empire made manifest ; he is not 
glorified in one, but in numberless Suns ; not in 
one Earth, or in one world, but in ten thousand 
thousands of infinite Globes." 

An infinite representation of an infinite ori- 
ginal, and a spectacle befitting the excellency 
and eminence of him, that can neither be fully 
conceived, imagined, or comprehended. 

What read we here ? th' existence of a God 1 
Yes, and of other beings, man above ; 
Natives of iEther ! sons of higher climes ! 

Dr. Young. 



^ LETTER I. 

" If the existence of this one world be good 
or convenient, it is not less good or convenient 
that there be infinite others like it. 

" The infinite efficient cause vs^ould be abso- 
lutely defective, without an infinite effect ; and 
besides, by conceiving the infinity of the universe 
and innumerable beings, the understanding rests 
satisfied, and is reconciled with the idea of an 
eternity ; whereas,, by asserting the contrary, it 
is unavoidably plunged into innumerable diffi- 
culties, and unsolvable inconveniencies, para- 
doxes, and absurdities." 

Again, says the same writer, " did we but 
consider and comprehend all this, oh! to what 
much further considerations and comprehensions 
should we be carried ! as we might be sure to 
obtain that happiness by virtue of this science, 
which in other Sciences is sought after in vain. 

This prospect vast, what is it ? weigh'd aright, 

*Tis nature's system of divinity, 

That every student of the night inspires. 

Dr. Young. 



'Tis elder Scripture, writ by God's OAvn hand ; 
Scripture authentic ! uncorrupt by man. 

" This then is that philosophy, which opens 
the senses, which satisfies the mind, which en- 
larges the understanding, and which leads man- 
kind to the only true beatitude, whereof they are 
capable according to their natural state and 
constitution ; for it frees us from the sollicitous 
pursuit of pleasure, and from the anxious ap- 
prehensions of pain, making us to enjoy the 
good things of the present hour, and not to fear 
more, than we hope from the future ; since that 



LETTER I. 2 J 

same Providence, or Fate or Fortune, which 
causes the vicissitudes of our particular being, 
will not let us know more of the one, than we 
are ignorant of the other." 

And farther, " From these contemplations, if 
we do but rightly consider, it will follow, that we 
ought never to be dispirited by any strange ac- 
cidents, through excess of fear or pain, nor ever 
be elated by any prosperous event, through ex- 
cess of hope or pleasure ; whence we have the 
path to true morality, and following it, we shall 
of course become the magnanimous despisers of 
what men of weak minds fondly esteem, and be 
wise judges of the history of nature, which would 
be written in our minds, and consequently be 
chearful and strict executioners of the divine 
laws, which would thus be engraved in the cen- 
ter of our hearts. Seeking, as it were, in our- 
selves, an approbation of our own action, which 
alone is capable of true content and happiness." 

Christopher Huygens, to whom the world 
is much indebted for many curious inventions, 
and discoveries, [The Pendulum Clock; the 
first discovery of Jupiter'^s Satellites and 
Saturn's Ring.] says in his planetary icorlds^ 
"I must be of the same opinion with all the 
great Philosophers of our age, that the Sun is 
of the same nature with the fixed Stars ; and 
this will give us a greater idea of the world than 
all other opinions can. For then why may not 
every one of these Stars, or Suns, have as 
graat a retinue, as our Sun, of Planets, with 
their Moons to wait upon them ? Nay, there is 
a manifest reason why they should ; for, if we 
imagine ourselves placed at an equal distance 
from the Sun and fixed Stars, we should then 
perceive no difference at all betwixt them. 



pi LETTER I. 

" Why then may we not make use of the same 
judgment that we would in that case; and con- 
clude, that our Star has no better attendance 
than the others ? So that what we allow to the 
Planets upon the account of our enjoying it. we 
must likewise grant to all those Planets that 
surround that prodigious number of Suns, They 
must have their plants and animals, nay their 
rational creatures too, and those as great admi- 
rers and as diligent observers of the Heavens as 
ourselves ; and must consequently enjoy what- 
ever is subservient to, and requisite for such 
knowledge, 

"What a wonderful and amazing scheme 
have we here of the magnificent vastness of the 
universe! so many Suns, so many Earths, and 
every one of them flocked with so many herbs, 
trees and animals, and adorned with so many 
seas and mountains ! And how must our won- 
der and admiration be increased, when we con- 
sider the prodigious distance and multitude of 
the Stars ?" 

The opinion of Sir ISAAC NEWTON. 

This great Author, in his grand Scholia to the 
Principia, says: — "The most beautiful system 
of the Sun, Planets, and Comets, could only 
proceed from the counsel and dominion of an 
intelligent and powerful Being : and if the fixed 
Stars are the centres of other like systems, these, 
being formed by the like wise counsel, must be 
all subject to the dominion of One ; especially, 
since the light of the fixed Stars is of the same 
nature with the light of the Sun, and from every 
system light passes into all the other systems. 
And least the systems of the fixed Stars should 



LETTER I. 



25 



by their gravity fall mutually on each other, he 
(the Divine Being) hath placed those systems at 
immense distances from one another." 

The Opinion of Dr. DERHAM, in his Astro- 
Theology. 

" The new^ system," says he, " supposeth there 
are many other systems of Suns and Planets, be- 
sides that, in w^hich we have our residence ; 
namely, that every fixed Star is a Sun, and in-, 
compassed with a system of Planets, both prima- 
ry and secondary, as well as ours. 

" These several systems of the fixed Stars, as 
they are at a great and sufficient distance from 
the Sun and us; so they are imagined to be at 
as due, and regular distances from one another : 
by which means it is that those multitudes of 
fixed Stars appear to us of different magnitudes, 
the nearest to us large ; those farther and farther, 
less and less ; and that some, if not all those vast 
Globes of the universe, have a motion, is mani- 
fest to our sight, and may easily be concluded of 
all, from the constant similitude and consent that 
the works of nature have with one another," 

To this we may add, that this system of the 
universe, as it is physically demonstrable, is far 
the most rational and probable of any. Because^ 

" It is far the most magnificent of any, and 
worthy of an infinite Creator, whose Power 
and Wisdom^ as they are without bounds and 
measure, so may they in all probability, exert 
themselves in the creation of many systems as 
well as one. And as myriads of systems as more 
for the glory of Gojy^ and more demonstrate his 
attributes than one ; so it is no less probable than 
possible, there may be many besides this which 

4 



26 LETTER I. 

we have the privilege of living in. And as the 
strongest confirmation of this, " we see it is re- 
ally so, as far as it is possible it can be discerned 
by us, at such immense distances as those sys- 
tems of the fixed Stars are from us; and we 
cannot reasonably expect more." 

" Since the Sun and fixed Stars," says Dr. 
Gregory, " are the only great bodies of the uni- 
verse that have any native light, they are justly 
esteemed by Philosophers to be of the same 
kind, and designed for the same uses ; and it is 
the efiect of a man's temper that sets a greater 
value upon his own things than he ought, that 
makes him judge the Sun to be the biggest of 
them all." 

That, as an elegant writer observes, [Contem- 
plations on the starry Heavens.] " which we call 
the morning or the evening Star," is in reality, 
a Planetary World; which, with the four others, 
that so wonderfully, as Milton expresses it, " vary 
their mistic dance, are in themselves dark bo- 
dies, and shine only by reflection; have fields 
and seas, and skies of their own ; are furnished 
with all accommodations for animal substances, 
and are supposed to be the abodes of intellec- 
tual life. Again the Sun, with all its attendent 
planets, is but a very little part of the grand 
machine of the universe. Every Star — is re- 
ally a vast globe, like the Sun, in size and in 
glory, no less spacious, no less luminous, than the 
radiant source of our day ; so that every Star is 
the centre of a magnificent system, has a reti- 
nue of worlds irradiated by its beams, and re- 
volves round its active influence ; all which are 
lost to our sight in immeasurable tracts of 
aether," 

" Could we," says the same Author, " wing our 



LETTER I. 27 

way to the highest apparent Star — we should 
there see other skies expanded, other Suns that 
distribute their inexhaustible beams of day; 
other Stars that gild the alternate night; and 
other perhaps nobler systems established ; es- 
tablished in unknown profusion, through the 
boundless dimensions of space. Nor does the 
Dominion of the great Sovereign end there, 
even at the end of this vast tour, we should find 
ourselves advanced no farther than the frontiers 
of creation ; arrived only at the suburbs of the 
great JeliovaWs kingdom." 

O for a Telescope his Throne to reach ! 
Tell me ye learn'd on Earth ! or blest above ! 
Ye searching, ye Newtonian Angels ! tell, 
Where your great Masters Orb ? His planets where ? 
Those conscious Satellites, those Morning Stars, 
First-born of Deity from central love. 

Dr. Young. 

Many other authorities might be produced 
from writers of great repute, were it necessary 
to trouble you with them ; [Particularly from 
Fontenelle, &.c.] but I believe those above will 
be abundantly sufficient for the present purpose, 
if ev^n an apology were wanting for my own 
conjectures. I shall therefore conclude this let- 
ter with the following passage out of Pope'^s 
Universal Prayer, and in my next shall proceed 
in thje work I have undertaken. 

Yet not to Earth's contracted span. 

Thy goodness let me bound ; 
Or think thee Lord alone of man. 

When thousand worlds are round. 
I am, Slc, 



LETTER II. 

Concerning the Nature of Mathematical Cer* 
fainty, and the various Degrees of Moral 
Probability proper for Conjecture, 

Sir, 

You know how much I am an en^my to the 
taking of any thing for granted, merely because 
a person of reputed judgment, has been heard to 
say, it absolutely is so; an fyse dixit, and im- 
phcit faith in some cases, may be both neces- 
sary and useful ; but here, in Astronomy, I 
mean, every man's reason, by the help of a very 
little mathematics, is able to bring wonderful 
truths to light without them ; and truths not 
only of the highest importance to every indivi- 
dual, but of a great and common consequence to 
all mankind : and as such, in the ages of the 
World, have been judged worthy to be enquired 
into, by the best and wisest of philosophers. 

You are likewise very sensible how far the 
human understanding is even at the best, from 
being infallible, and don't want to be told, how 
difficult it is in a subject of this nature to arrive 
at any tolerable degree of certainty, which be- 
fore the days of the sagacious Euclid, and the 
penetrating Archimedes, was a thing not to be 
expected. And many things which were then 
but barely objects of conjecture and probability, 
have since been demonstrated to be infallibly 
true. Time and observation will undoubtedly, 



LETTER II. 29 

at last, discover every thing to us necessary to 
our natures, and proper for us to know. As a 
proof of which, we see human wisdom daily in- 
creases; and while a capacity continues to make 
ourselves still more acquainted with the mani- 
fest wisdom and power of God in the works of 
his creation, who is to tell us where to stop our 
enquiries? Or who is so impious to set bounds 
to a science, which so evidently spreads through 
all infinity, the attributes of God, and an eternal 
basis for future hope ? 

This branch, or rather body of Astronomy, I 
believe you will find to be quite new ; and though 
evident truths, are the principal thing to be re- 
garded in it ; yet as being in its infant state, 
where lineal demonstration fails, and in some 
cases it cannot be otherwise, I hope you will 
give me leave to make use of a weaker way of 
reasoning, to convince you of the point in dis- 
pute, I mean of that by the analogy of known 
and natural things. 

I shall be extremely unwilling to affirm any 
thing for a fact^ or truth, without hearing, if not 
the real evidence, at least a plausible reason, 
next to a conviction, of moral certainty, along 
with it; and therefore I will here endeavour to 
explain to you what I mean by moral certainty 
and also by mathematical proof. 

Mathematical proof, or certainty, proper for 
conjectures, may, to, almost every capacity, be 
illustrated as follows : 

Suppose you had accidentally found a very 
small part of a visibly broken medallion, with 
nothing more express upon it, than what is rep- 
resented at Fig, 1. Plate I. a person totally un- 
acquainted Vvith the mathematical sciences, we 
may naturally conclude, would not be able to 



30 LETTER II. 

make any thing of it, or in the least comprehend 
what it orignally was, or meant; but if an As- 
tronomer should chance to see it, who of course 
we are to suppose knew the order and propor- 
tion of the planetary orbits, he would immedi- 
ately conclude, and with great probability, on 
the side of his conjectures, that it might be part 
of a medal representing the solar system. In 
such a case may we not very naturally suppose 
he would reason thus ? 

The arches A and B seem to be portions of 
the respective orbits of Saturn and Jupiter^ and 
what m.ay lead us to believe, that they are really 
so, and part of the solar system, is the oblique 
curve C, which looks not unlike the trajectory 
of a Comet. 

This surely would be far from an irrational 
conjecture, and consequently in some degree 
probable : but this is not sufficient you'll say : to 
prove it we must have farther recourse to the 
mathematics, and a mathematician would im- 
mediately thus demonstrate it to be true. 

First, by compleating the circles geometrical- 
ly from the fourth Book of Euclid^ by the assis- 
tance of any three points E, F. G. the original 
Figure will be restored, as at Fig, 2. And 
secondly, by assuming any two points, as F, E 
in the curve C, if admitted a parabola, by a well- 
known problem in conic sections the heliocen- 
tric portion X. Y. Z, will easily be projected 
and shewn, as in Fig, 3. Lastly, join this in 
position to the former, and it will justly supply 
the orbit, or path of some one of the Comets ; 
and if required, even what Comet may be disco- 
vered by comparing the perihelion distance 
Y. S. with their general elements or theories, in 
Dr. Halley^s Sy7U)psis of the motion of these bo- 



LETTER II. 31 

dies. And if a farther confirmation of the truth 
of these conjectures were wanting, the small 
concentric circles at D would now be allowed 
beyond a contradiction, to represent the secon- 
dary orbits of Saturn ; and thus the first pre- 
sumption being carried through several corrobo- 
rating degrees of probability, almost past a dis- 
pute, would become a mathematical certainty ; 
and the above imperfect piece of medallion, 
would evidently appear beyond a contradiction 
to be part of a representation of the said solar 
system, and such as is shown in Plate II. Q.. 
E. D. Thus in many cases, it often happens^ 
that from a very small part of orbicular tJiingSy 
we are able to determine the form and direction 
of the whole : and hence you may conceive it no 
very difficult task to a mathematician, to de- 
scribe the orbits of all the planets in the solar 
system, though he had never observed them but 
in one and the same sign of the Zodiac ; thus 
far I have thought it would not be amiss to ex- 
plain to you the nature of those steps, by which 
we arrive at m.oral certainty, and where the 
subject will admit of it, mathematical conviction, 
which will not a little contribute to strengthen 
many of the arguments hereafter made use of, 
and in some degree serve to supply the place of 
proof, where infallible demonstration cannot 
from the nature of the thing be discovered. 

But besides the indisputable principles of Ge- 
ometry, the universal law of Analogy, and simi- 
litude of things, have a privilege to assist us, 
in conjectures relating to the heavenly bodies, 
and though not of equal force with the former, 
is often as conclusive as the subject requires* 
This sort of probable evidence (as Dr. Butler 
observes,) is essentially distinguished from " de- 



SH LETTER It. 

monstrative by this, that it admits of degrees^ 
and of all variety of them, from the highest mo- 
ral certainty to the very lowest presumption ; and 
that which chiefly constitutes probability, is ex- 
pressed in the word Likely^ or natural likeness, 
as to state or being." This general way of ar- 
guing, I think, is allowed to be evidently natural^ 
just and conclusive, and unquestionably to have 
its weight in various degrees, towards determin- 
ing our judgment : for instance, should any igno- 
rant person, endowed with rational principles, 
cut open a Pomegranate of the natural growth 
o( England, and finding it full of small globules^ 
or kernels, upon being presented with an every 
way similar fruit, said to be the produce of Italy ^ 
doubt of its being of the same nature, and com- 
posed of like globular seeds within ; here indeed 
would be no mathematical evidence to assist the 
judgment, the object of proof being invisible, but 
sure from the external similitude, the strongest 
probability of their being also internally the same- 
Again, 

Is it natural to suppose, that the first person 
who found a Lark^s nest, and in it several of 
of the female's eggs, should have any apprehen- 
sions of finding none in the Nightingale"^ s, only 
because he had never seen one before, I believe 
the most illiterate person of the earliest ages, 
who had curiosity enough for such a search, 
would be greatly disappointed in such a case and 
far from concluding that the Nightingale had 
none. Farther, should any one who had seen 
several sorts of fish taken out of the River 
Thames or out of the Nile, have any sort of 
suspicion that he should find no such creatures 
in the Seine or the Ganges, though it should be 
allowed that he had never seen any such crea- 



LETTER IL 



33 



tares that were known to come from thence. 
Ocular demonstration, in such a case,would sure- 
ly be necessary, and an evidence of the first, I be- 
lieve would be abundantly sufficient to convince 
us of what we ought to look for, at least in the 
last : but then the fishes of different Seas, and 
of Rivers are not of the same species you'll say; 
but as it were infinitely diversified through all the 
aqueous world, this is, and must be granted, and 
alike variety of Species must also be granted, in 
the former case of the birds : but no objection 
can possibly arise from any such diversity, since 
we don't pretend to say, nor is it at all necessa- 
ry, that the beings in the sidereal Planets should 
be every where the same with these of our solar 
system, a variety must every where be admitted, 
and will always be admired, where the work is 
Nature's, and the design God's. 

All then that I here pretend to argue for, is a 
universality of rational creatures to people infi- 
nity, or rather such parts of the creation, as 
from the analogy and nature of things, we judge 
to be habitable seats for beings, not unhke the 
mortal human. 

Every animal and every vegetable, that, as it 
were, naturally exists by the virtues, properties, 
or laws of the mineral kingdom, has something 
of a secondary nature, depending upon it as a 
principle ; and to say that the Stars, which are 
a certain visible sort of cotemporaries in space 
with the Sun, have no like planetary bodies with 
ours moving round them, because we cannot 
possibly see them, is no less absurd and ridicu- 
lous, than to argue, that we can have no reason 
to expect to find in the proper season, grapes 
upon every vine — figs upon every tree — roses 
upon every bush—only because some of tKetti 

5 



34 LETTtlR II* 

are at sruch a distance, that neither rose, fig of 
grape, can be discovered by the eye. 

This sort of reasoning, though some perhaps 
may neglect it, I am persuaded you will look 
upon as abundantly sufficient for things out of 
the reach of science to determine ; and that the 
collective body of Stars have not been discovered, 
to be together a proper subject for such conjec- 
tures before, can surely only proceed from the 
want of time, necessary to complete the obser- 
vations proper for a foundation to build such an 
hypothesis, or theory upon. This is the great 
article in vv^hich the moderns have so much, and 
ever will have an advantage over the Ancients. 
And hence it will appear, that 

The improvements and discoveries of latter 
ages are not at all owing to the greater capacity 
of the moderns, but from the advantages receiv- 
ed, or arising from the inventions and progress 
made by the Ancients. We at first in a man- 
ner walked by their leading-strings, and though 
many of them now are broken or useless, none 
can deny, but that formerly they were of great 
advantage in promoting and directing philoso- 
phical enquiries. 

In an assembly of the most eminent men of 
all ages, if we may suppose such a conference 
amongst the illustrious dead, on purpose to de- 
liver their several sentiments familiarly together, 
on the most interesting subjects of natural know- 
ledge, who would not lament the disadvantages, 
poor old Tliales, an Hipparchus, or a Piolomy, 
would lie under, who had nothing but the eye of 
reason to direct them, in opposition to the judg- 
ment of a Brahe^ or a Galilteiis^ who reaped 
so much benefit from their compound optics ? 
But on the other hand, perhaps if the solar sys- 



LETl^R I. % 

fcem was the topic of discourse, a Pythagorean 
might very pertinently say to a Newtonian^ 
[The true system of the Planets having been dis- 
covered above two thousand years,] " You have 
not gone much farther in the light with our di- 
rection, than we did in the dark alone ; for you 
are still roving round the same circles." Much 
might be said upon this head ; but I believe it 
would be a difficult matter to do justice to all 
parties : so here I intend to leave them, only 
must observe, that posterity will always have 
the advantage over their predecessors ; and that 
after-ages, in all probability, will reap so great a 
benefit from the invention and improvement of 
fluxions, that scarce any thing, which is the im- 
mediate object of such enquiry, will long lie 
concealed from a true mathematical genius. 

For this, in which he has surpassed all the 
Ancients, and greatly advanced the philosophi- 
cal sciences, the world is indebted to Sir Isaac 
Newton, 

But as many of his discoveries, such as relate 
particularly to the laws of the planetary system, 
are but as so many corifirmations of the conjec- 
tures and imaginations of Astronomers and Phi- 
losophers before him, it perhaps will not be 
amiss to acquaint you a little with the Astrono- 
my of the Ancients concerning the universe. 
And before I proceed to those of my own, show 
you in the first place how far their speculations 
in the visible creation have been carried ; and 
with these I shall conclude this preparatorv 
epistle. 

The universe, or mundane space, by which 
the Ancients comprehend all creation, has, from 
time to time, according to the progress of sci- 
ence, come under a sort of necessity of beingf 



$§ LETTEk H, 

variously modelled agreeable to the opinion of 
the several Authors,who have judged themselves 
wise enough to write upon it with a mathemati- 
cal foundation: and the cosmical system, by 
which is meant the co-ordination of its constitu- 
ent parts has undergone almost as many chan- 
ges as its elements are even capable of; every 
age of the world, as knowledge has increased, 
either from improved imagination, or repeated 
observations, producing something new concer- 
ning it. 

Milton no doubt, had all this diversity of 
opinions in view, as appears from his supposed 
pre-knowledge of Raphael, in the following 
passage, Book VIII. 

Hereafter, when they come to model Heaven, 
And calculate the Stars, how they will weild 
The mighty Frame ! how build, unbuild, contrive 
To save appearances, how gird the Sphere 
M^ith centric and eccentric, scribbl'd o'er ; 
Cycle, and Epicycle, orb in orb. 

But the following synopsis, I believe, will 
abundantly convince you that from certain ob- 
servations only, we ought to form all our notions 
of it, if we either hope to arrive at truth, or ex- 
pect our ideas should be supported by reason. 

Aristotle was cf opinion, that the universe, 
or heaven was all one world, and St. Chrysos- 
TOM, Tertulliav, St. Bokaventure, Tycho 
Brahe. Longomontanls, Kepler, Bflialdus 
and Tellez, were of an united opinion, that 
this one Heaven, or Universe, was all sidereal 
and fluid. But Aegidius, Hurtadus, Cisalpi- 
Nus and Aversa, believing the same Heaven 



LETTER II. 37 

with them to be all one world, and that sidereal, 
yet on the contrary held it to be solid. 

Clemens, Acacius, Theodoret, Anastasius, 
Synaita, Procopius, Suidus, S. Bruno, and 
Claudianus Mamertus, supposed the universal 
mundane space as divided into two Heavens, 
namely. 

The Empyraeum created the first day, 

And the Firmament created the second day. 

Two Heavens were also held by Justin Mar- 
tyr, the one sidereal, and the other aerial. The 
first supposed by St. Ghegory Nyssene, to be 
that of the fixed Stars, and the last, that of the 
Planets. But Mastrius and Bellutus, though 
agreeing in the number of Heavens, call one the 
Primum Mobile, and the other the Starry 
JHeaven. 

Farther, St. Basil, St. Ambrose, Damascene, 
Cassiodorus, Genebrardus, Suarez, Tanne- 
Rus, HuRTADUs, OviEDUs, Tellez, and BoR- 
Rus, distinguished the universe as divided into 
three portions, or Heavens. 

The first called {he Empyraeum, s Watery, 

"5- ^ 

t* *** 

The second supposed Sidereal, ^ Sidereal, ^ Watery-, 

s 

And the last of all, Aerial. q Aerial, S Sidereal. 

Again, St. Athanasius^ adds to those of the 
fixed Stars, the Planets and the Air, that of the 
Empyneum, and makes in all four Heavens. 

But as the number of the Heavens thus in- 
creases, and will become subdivided in the sub- 
sequent account of them, to give you a better 
idea of the order of these celestial portions of 
the mundane space, it will not be amiss to form 



38 LETTER II. 

what remains of them into resiular sections of 
their proper spheres and systems. 

See Plate III. in which figure, the first re- 
presents a section of the cosmical theory of 
Omedus and Ricciolus: both consisting of five 
Heavens, viz.: 



^ 'o The fixed Stars, .. . . A -§ '3 Empyrstum^ . G 

I J Saturn, B '§ ^ The Water, . F 

0-75 Jupiter J C ^ ^ The fixed Stars, A 

>. S Sol, with c^ , ^ & ? included,D ^^ The Planets, . H 

^-1 The Moon, E W -3 The Air, . . I 

Fig. II. represents that of venerable Bede 
and Rabanus, viz, of seven Heavens. 

And according to Bede composed of But by Rabanus^ 

The Air, P The Atmosphere, 

The ^ther, ....... O The upper Air, 

Olympus, N The inferior Fire, 

The Element of Fire, . , . M The superior Fire, 

The Firmament, ..... A Sphere of the fixed Stars, 

The Angelical Region, . . . L TheChrystallineHeaven, 

Realm of the Trinity, . . . K The Empyraeum* 

Fig. III. Represents the hypotheses of Eu- 
doxus, Plato, Calippus, Cicero, Riccius, 
Pbilo, Remi^ius, Aben-Ezra, Carthusianus, 
Ijyranus, Tostatus, Brugensis, Orontius, 
Cremoninus, PJulalet^eus, Amicus, and i?w- 
vius ; also the Babylonians and Egyptians, 



Consisting of eight Heavens, 

All sidereal, viz. The sphere of the fixed 
Stars, and those of the seven Planets. 

Fig. ly. is that of Macroblus, Haly Alpetra- 
gius, Rahbi-Josus, Rabbi Moyses, Scotns, 
Abraham Zagat us, Sacroboscus, Claromon- 
this, Arigra, and Arraiga, 



LETTER II. 39 

All of nine Heavens, 

Comprehend a Primum Mobile d, or, ac- 
cording to Arriaga^ a solid Empijr^um, The 
sphere, of fixed Stars A, and the seven regions 
of the solar Planets. 

Fig. V. is that of the great Alphonsiis^ Fer- 
nelius^ Regiomontaniis, Amicus, Maurolycus 
and Langius ; also of Azaliel, Thebit, and 
Isaac Israelita ; and likewise of Gulielmus 
Parisiensis, and Johannes Antonius Del- 
pkinus. 

Consisting often Heavens, made up of 
A Primum Mobile, . S Einpyr^um, 
A Sphere of Tripidation in 

Longitude, . . . . R Primum Mobile. 
The Sphere of the fixed Stars, A 
And those of the seven solar Planets within. 

Note, — Some Authors place the sphere of 
Tripidation in Longitude below that of the 
Aplain, or eighth Sphere, 

Lastly, Fig. VI. is the Heaven of Petrus AU 
liacensis, the College of Conimbra, Martinen- 
sis, (and sometime) of Clavius ; and also Jo- 
hannes Warnerus, Leopoldus de Austria, Jo- 
hannes Antonius Maginus ; and lastly, of 
Clamus, 

In all eleven Heavens, containing 
T A Primum Mobile, or, as others say, an 

Empyrceum, 
V A Sphere of Libration in Longitude. 
W The Sphere of the fixed Stars, and those of 

the Planets. 

Thus you see how many various opinions have 
from time to time been embraced concerning the 



40 LETTER II, 

fabric and formation of the visible Universe ; all 
of which are now and have long been exploded ; 
and although at first advanced by men of the 
greatest learning, and of the deepest penetration 
in natural knowledge, it does not appear from 
any one of their opinions, that they had even the 
least notion of infinite space, but as it were con- 
fined, the Divine Being to their limited notions, 
as one may say in an egg-shell. If therefore 
what I shall hereafter advance, extend so far 
without the known Creation, that you can pos- 
sibly conceive no bounds, to the works of infinite 
wisdom and power, I hope you will be in no 
danger of looking upon it as more ridiculous, or 
absurd, than what so many of the wisest men of 
every age have thought proper to attempt, and 
have judged worthy of their attention so long 
before me. If any thing less so, I shall think 
myself happy enough in having broken, or rather 
passed the narrow limits to which the Creation 
has for so many years been confined, in hopes of 
tempting men of greater talents to look upwards, 
and pursue so noble a subject as far as the hu- 
man understanding is capable of comprehend- 
ing it. 

To the opinions above might be added many 
more, particularly that of Johannes Baptista 
Tarrianis, and Fracastorius^ who increased 
the number of Heavens to fourteen, viz. seven 
on each side the Aplane. 

But of this I have said enough ; in my next I 
shall proceed to matter better grounded. 

And am, &.c. 



LETTER III. 

Concerning the Nature^ Magnitude^ and Mo" 
tion of the Planetary Bodies round the 
Sun, &c. 

Sir, 

The younger Pliny, if I remember right, 
somewhere says, that there is, or ought to be, 
a wide difference betwixt writing to a friend, 
and writhig to the pubUc ; I have indeed pleased 
myself with the one, but am far from thinking 
myself qualified for the other ; I must therefore 
rather intreat you, though perhaps you cannot 
possibly overlook all my faults as an Author, to 
excuse them at least in the friend, and by such 
kind of unlimited indulgence, you will give me 
a much greater chance to do the subject some 
justice, though I own I despair in this first at- 
tempt, to reconcile every thing I advance to your 
more cool and impartial reasoning. But to the 
business : 

As I have no ambition to have the substance 
of my theory more admired by you than under- 
stood, which is too often the case in works of 
this nature, I must beg leave to repeat to you 
part of a former discourse, which will refresh 
in your ideas the principal laws of the system 
of our Sun, and make you properly acquainted 
with such things as are necessary to be known 
in the now-established Astronomy of Coperni^ 
cus, &c., before I proceed to any new matter. 
[NicoLAus Copernicus, stiled by Bidialdus^ 

6 



42 LBTTER ni. 

Vir absolut€e suhtilitatis^wsLSRn^itiye oi Thorn 
in Polish Prussia^ and Canon of the Church 
of Frawenburgh ; he was scholar to Dominicus 
Maria of Ferrara, to whom he was assistant 
in his astronomical observations at Bologne^ and 
professor of the Mathematics at Rome, in his 
noble work, De Revolutionibus Orbium Cue- 
lestium; he fortunately revived, happily united, 
and formed into an hypothesis of his own, the 
several opinions of Philolaus, Heraclides Pon- 
ticus, and Ecphantus Pythagoreus, viz. after the 
opinion of Philolaus he made the Earth to 
move about the Sun, as the centre of its annual 
motion ; and according to Heraclides and Ec- 
phantus, he likewise gave it a diurnal rotation 
round its own axis : which system has withstood 
all opposition ; and as Ricciolus, (though a dis- 
senter from it) observes. Per damna^per ccedes^ 
ab ipso sumit opes, animumque feirro. 

The Sun, you are not to learn, is the reputed 
centre of our Planetary System, and may re- 
member, that the Earth on which we live, and 
these five following Erratic Stars, viz. Saturn, 
Jupiter, Mars, Venus and Mercury, have 
been demonstrated to move round him in the or- 
der and manner following: 

Saturn is found to complete one revolution 
round the Sun in twenty-nine years, one hundred 
and seventy-four days, six hours and thirty-six 
minutes : at the distance of about seven hundred 
and seventy-seven million of miles. Jupiter per- 
forms a like revolution in about eleven years, 
three hundred and seventeen days, twelve hours, 
and twenty minutes : distant from the Sun about 
four hundred and twenty-four millions of miles. 
Mars completes his circuit in one year, three 
hundred and twenty-one days, twenty-three 



LETTER III. 4S 

hours, and twenty-seven minutes ; and his mean 
distanee is about one hundred and twenty-three 
millions of miles. 

These three are called superior Planets, as 
being farther from the Sun than the Earth, and 
circumscribing its orbit. 

The Earth circumambiates her orbit in one 
solar year, viz. in three hundred and sixty-five 
days, five hours, forty-eight minutes, and fifty- 
seven seconds ; at the mean distance of eighty- 
one million of miles. 

The radius of Venus^ orbit is ebout fifty-nine 
millions of miles ; and that of Mercury nearly 
thirty-two millions, ditto. 

The Heliocentric revolution of Venus, is made 
in two hundred and twenty-four days, fifteen 
hours, forty-nine minutes, and twenty-seven 
seconds ; and that of Mercury, in eighty-seven 
days, twenty-three hours, fifteen minutes, and 
fifty-four seconds. These two last Planets are 
called inferior ones, as being circumscribed by 
the Earth. 

The diameter of the Sun being demonstrated 
to be nearly seven hundred and sixty-three 
thousand miles : 

The proportional magnitudes of all the above 
Planets w ill be found nearly as follows, viz, : 

The diameter of the Globe, 
Of Mercury, . . . 4,240 



Venus, 
the Earth, 
Mars, . 
Jupiter, 
and Saturn, 



7,900 

7,970 

4,440 

81,000 

61,000. 



Miles. 



Thus much I have thought proper to premise, 



44 LETTER III. 

and for your immediate inspection, have added 
the following schemes, that nothing may be wan- 
ting to give a general idea of the order of the 
celestial Bodies in our own system, before I at- 
tempt to lead you through the neighbouring re- 
gions of the Stars to the more remote tracts of 
infinity, 

PLATE IV. 

Is a true delineation of the solar system, with 
the trajectories of three of the principal Comits, 
whose periods and orbits have been accurately 
determined, and are represented in their true 
proportion and position to one another, and the 
order of the Planets round the Sun, marked with 
their respective characters, viz. ^ , for Saturn, 
:^^ Jupiter^ i^ Mars, e, the Earth, ?, Ve72uSy 
and ? , Mercury, The Scale being nearly five 
hundred and eighteen millions of miles to an 
inch. 

PLATE V. 

Is a true projection of the system of the known 
Comets ; in which are represented nine of the 
chief Trajectories, from their Aphelii to their 
PeriheHi, all in just proportion and position to 
the orbits of Saturn and Jupiter, which are also 
represented by the two concentric Circles, sup- 
posed to be drawn round . the Sun as their 
centre. 

The Ellipsis, or Trajectory, marked A, shows 
the position and path of the Comet, which ap- 
peared in the year 1684, whose period is sup- 
posed to be about fifty years, and has been ob- 
served within the region of the Planets once. 



LETTER III. 45 

That marked B,is the way of theComet of 1682; 
The period conjectured to be 
about seventy-five years and 
a half, and has been observ- 
ed thrice. 

C, Way of the Comet of 1337 ; 

The period about 100 years, 
observed once. 

D, That of the Comet of 1661, 

The period about 129 years, 
observed twice. 

E, That of the Comet of 1618; 

The period about 160 years, 
observed once. 

F, Way of the Comet of 1677 ; 

The period about 200 years, 
observed once. 

G, Way of the Comet of 1744 ; 

The period about 300 years; 
observed once. 
H, Way of the Comet of 1665 ; 
The period about 400 years, 
observed once. 
I, Way of the Comet of 1680 ; 
The period about 575 years, 
observed thrice. 
The scale of this system is equal to one third 
of the former. 

Here I must observe to you, as a thing I judge 
may prove of great consequence with regard to 
the system of Comets, which is as yet very im- 
perfect : that I am strongly of opinion, that the 
Comets in general, through all their respective 
orbits, describe one common area, that is to say, 
all their orbits with regard to the mai^nitude of 
their proper planes, are mathematically equal to 
one another, which, if it once could be proved 



^ I.ETTER III. 

and confirmed by observation, the theories of all 
the Comets that have been justly observed, might 
easily be perfected and their periods at once de- 
termined, which now we can only guess at, or 
may wait whole ages for more certainty of. 
What leads me to believe, that this may prove 
to be really the case, is this : 

I find by calculation, that the orbits of the two 
last Comets, whose elements have been most 
corrected by Sir Isaac Newton and Dr. Halley^ 
are to one another, according to their numbers, 
nearly as 13 to 17, [1316539,968282 Comet of 
1680.]— [1708155,4644 Comet of 1682.] notwith- 
standing one of them is one of the most erratic 
that ever came under our observation ; and the 
other one of the most neighbouring to the Sun. 

But it is well known to all Mathematicians, 
that the first of these Comets moved in so eccen- 
tric a trajectory, that the least error in its almost 
incredible proximity to the Sun will produce a 
very sensible difference in the area of the orbit : 
and accordingly, if we moderate the Perihelion 
distance of this Comet, by making it but 1000 
instead of 612, [The number in Dr. Halley^s Sy- 
nopsis.] which is but increasing it a 35000 ^^ P^''^ 
of the great radius of the orbit, (which is an er- 
ror every Astronomer will readily grant is very 
easily made) and we shall find the orbits of the 
said two Comets to be exactly equal. 

Further, I must inform you, that the Comet of 
1682, which the above compared with, seems to 
have been so accurately observed, that it does 
not appear to have altered its Perihelion distance 
half a 68th part in one entire revolution. Now, 
if we can with any show of reason, and a proba- 
bility on our side, bring the areas of these two 
extreme Comets, as I may call them, to an equa- 



LETTER III. 47 

lity, sure we may conclude it is a subject highly 
worthy to be more considered and enquired into. 

PLATE VI. 

Is a true representation of the satelHte sys- 
tems, proportionable to one another, and to the 
orb of the Sun's body, that a just idea of the dis- 
tances of those secondary Planets, may be easier 
had from their respective primary ones. 

S represents the Solar body with its atmos- 
phere. Fig. 1, is the system of Saturn from the 
same Scale. Fig, 2, that of Jupiter, from ditto. 
And Fig. 3, the orbit of the Moon round the 
Earth in the same proportion. 

But as you can have but a very imperfect idea 
of the magnitude of the Circles, with regard to 
the body of the Earth or Moon, 

PLATE VII. 

Is a true projection of their real Globes, at 
their proper distance from each other, with their 
common centre of gravity, and the point and 
line of equal suspension betwixt them viz. : 

A, represents the Globe of the Earth. 

B, that of the Moon. 

C, point, and C D, line of equal suspension 

betwixt them. 
E, common centre of Gravity, which de- 
scribes the Orhis Magnus. 
E, F, and B, G, is the orbit of the Moon. 
Farther, that nothing may be wanting to give 
a true notion of the whole together, 

PLATE VIII. 

Is a proportional drawing of all the primary 
and secondary Planets together, distinguished 



48 LETTER III. 

by their characters, proper to attend a Globe of 
twelve inches diameter, such a one being sup- 
posed to represent the Sun. 

PLATE IX. 

Is an exact scheme of the principal known 
Comets, in just proportion to the Globe of the 
Earth represented at A, with the nucleus and 
part of the tail of the Comet of 1680, B, as it 
was observed in its ascent from the Sun, viz. a a 
the Comet's natural atmosphere, z z z^ the den- 
ser matter winding itself into the axis of the 
train x x, the inflamed atmosphere and tail di- 
lated near the Sun. C, represents the ball of 
the Comet of 1682, D, that of 1665, E, that of 
1742, and F, the head of the Comet of 1744. 

And again, that you may have some notion of 
the apparent magnitudes of all these Planets 
and Comets, &/C., as they appear at the Earth, 

PLATE X. 

Represents the Sun and Moon in the just pro- 
portion of their mean diameters, with two of the 
Comets A and B, and the five erratic Planets, 
as they are observed at the Earth, in a middle 
state of their distances from it. 

For a more full and particular description of 
all the parts of the solar system, and of the home 
elements of Astronomy in general, I refer you 
to my Clavis C^lestis, &.C., where every thing 
concerning the Planets, Comets, and Stars; and 
their real and apparent motions are at large re- 
presented, explained, and accounted for, for the 
benefit of such as have not made the Mathema- 
tics their regular study. 

Now, to convince you that the Planets are all 



LETTEll III. 49 

in their own nature no other than dark opaque 
bodies, reflecting only the borrowed Hght of the 
Sun, I must recommend to your observation, 
this natural and simple experiment, which almost 
any opportunity of seeing the Moon a little be- 
fore the Full, will put into your power to make ; 
but best and easiest when the Sun is in any of 
the North Signs, i. e. in Summer. 

At such a time, the Sun being near setting, 
the Moon will appear in the eastern hemisphere ; 
and if there be any bright clouds northward, or 
southward near her, you will plainly perceive, 
that the ll<{Jit of the one is of the same nature 
with that of the other ; I mean the light of the 
Moon, and that of the Cloud. To me there never 
appeared any difference at all ; and lam per- 
suaded, were you to make but two or three ob- 
servations of this kind, which is from nature it- 
self, a sort of ocular demonstration, you cannot 
fail of being convinced, that the Moon's light, 
such as it is, without heat, can possibly proceed 
from no other cause than that which illumines 
the Cloud : for if the Clouds, whose composition 
we know to be but a thin light fluid, formed of 
condensed vapours only, is capable of remitting 
so great a lustre, how much more may we not 
allow the Moon, which, length of time, and many 
other circumstances, have long confirmed to be 
a durable and soHd body. 

The increase of her lustre, indeed, during the 
absence of the Sun from us, to a less penetrating 
genius than yours, may possibly afford some 
trifling ground of objection to the above con- 
clusions, as being drawn from the Phsenomena 
of day "light only ; by reason in the night, we hav^ 
no clouds in equal circumstances to compare! 
with her. 

7 



so LETTER IM. 

But this I need not tell you, is all owing to 
her being seen through a darker medium, and 
not to any real increase of natural light emitted 
from the Sun. As a proof of which, were it ne- 
cessary, you need only shut out the rays of the 
atmosphere, by the help of a sufficiently long 
Tube : and the Moon, or any other celestial body, 
will appear through it, as bright in the day-time 
as in the night. 

Thus all light bodies of inferior lustre, whe- 
ther shining by their own natual radiances, or 
by a borrowed reflection, partake of the same 
advantage, when removed from the more potent 
influence of a superior one ; and hence it is, that 
the Aura JEtherea, [An Helios, or golden light, 
always attending the Sun, and supposed to spread 
itself all round his body in the direction of his 
equator, was very visible during the total dark- 
ness of the eclipse of 1715, and may be always 
seen about the Autumnal Equinox.] shines out 
most manifest, when the body of the Sun himself 
is hid, the Stars, and the Yia Lactea most hvely 
and numerous in the absence of the Moon, and 
those exhalations, or meteors, vulgarly called 
Falling-stars, become only visible (like Glow- 
worms) in the night. 

Here it may not be improper to tell you, that 
the Clouds are to us in effect no other than as 
so many Moons, whereby we have our artificial 
day prolonged to us several hours after the Sun 
is set, and likewise produced as much sooner 
before he rises ; and were they to ascend by still 
stronger power of exhaltation to an elevation, 
all round the atmosphere, so as to form a sphere 
equal to four times the Globe of the Earth, there 
would then be no such thing as real nocturnal 
darkness t© any part of the world. 



LETTER III. 51 

The lunar light then we may very justly con- 
clude, proceeds originally from the Sun: and not- 
withstanding many more arguments might be 
drawn from the demonstration of her phases, 
eclipses, &.C., to prove it, yet none of them need 
here be added, to what has been already said, 
to convince you of the truth of it. This being 
granted, let us now consider what effect this, or 
a like quantity of borrowed light, would have, 
when removed to a much greater distance. 

I may, I think, suppose, that you know so much 
of Optics as to understand, that all visible ob- 
jects apparently decrease in magnitude, as their 
distance from the eye increases. Consequently, 
that, if the Moon's orbit was placed as far again 
from the Earth as it really is, her Globe, or ra- 
ther JDisk^ would then seem to be but half as 
big as to us she now appears to be, and of course 
still farther, were she placed at ten times the 
distance she is known to revolve at, her appa- 
rent diameter would be reduced to a tenth part 
only of what it now appears to be in her present 
orbit, that is, one hundred times less in visible 
magnitude than her neighbouring disk is found 
to be where it now is seen. And such, but some- 
thing less, the two planets Yemis and Jupiter, 
which are frequently in their turns, our morning 
and evening Stars, appear to be through a com- 
mon Telescope. 

Now these two Planets, together with the 
other three, which we find moving in regular or- 
bits round the Sun, are all found subject to the 
same changes of Ph^enGmeria^ [Venus and 
Mercury in every Heliocentric revolution, per- 
form all the changes of our Moon in a like gra=- 
dation and defection of light, both horned and 



5^ LETTER HI* 

gibosed.] in their various aspects with the Sun; 
and who can doubt but that they are all of the 
same or like Nature ? But you'll say, perhaps, 
how are we sure that Yemis and Jupiter have 
no native hght of their own, since many of the 
ancient Philosophers, and in particular Anaxi- 
mander, allowed even the Moon to have some; 
and besides, in Philosophy, as well as in Logic, 
I think you hold there is no proving a negative, 
at least at such a distance. 

To make you conceive the impossibility of 
such a light, and next to a demonstration, con- 
vince you of the unnaturalness of such a suppo- 
sition, I must put you in mind, that some time 
ago, when I was last in the country with you, I 
think it was about the latter end of Autumn, 
near the Winster Solstice, as we were walking 
one evening, I bid you take notice of the Moon, 
whicli was then near setting, and about two days 
old. You may remember, her whole Globe ap- 
peared to us very ccnspicuously within a mani- 
fest circle. You immediately told me, that this 
kind of Pha3nomenon the country people called 
a Stoi^k, or the old Moon in the new one's arms. 
This I then endeavoured to explain to you, and 
I think made you sensible it was intirely an ef- 
fect of the Earth's, and an appearance always 
to be expected at that time of the year. The 
Earth being then in the state of a Full-Moon to 
that part of the lunar orbit, and near her Peri- 
helion, at which time the Earth sends back a 
reflection to the Moon twenty-five times more 
potent than that of the Moon to us. — [Their di- 
ameters being nearly a:^ 1 to 5.] 

Now the planet Venus, from undeniable prin- 
ciples of Geometry, i-i allowed to be nearly such 



LETTER III. 53 

another Globe as the Earth is; and since the 
Earth, as I have just now related, is found to 
reflect much more light to the Moon, by reason 
of her superior magnitude, than the Moon can 
possibly reverberate to Earth again; and since 
also 'tis plain, the Earth has no light of its own, 
why then should we imagine Venus to be en- 
dowed with a lustre, which we can prove to be 
no more than a similar body, and governed by 
the same laws as the Earth is ? 

Anaximander''s mistake, in supposing the 
Moon in some small degree a radiant body of 
itself, lay, in not considering, that the faint illu- 
mination here described, and visible all over her 
Globe, soon after almost every conjunction with 
the Sun; and probably in eclipses, also proceed- 
ed from the Earth ; but the thing I think is too 
evident to expect any sort of contradiction, 
therefore I hope you will admit it as a truth, 
and consequeiitly take it for granted, that the 
planetary bodies in general, are mere terrestrial, 
if not terraqueous bodies, such as this we live 
upon; which is the thing I have chiefly in this 
letter attempted to demonstrate, or have rather 
explained ; and now I hope, for the future, you 
will receive the idea of a plurality of v/orlds 
more favourably, and look upon astronomical 
conjectures in a less ridiculous light than you 
used to do, especially since you must allow, they 
give our unlimited imaginations analogies in end- 
less fields of contemplation, not only full of the 
wonderful woiks of nature, but also of a visible 
Providence, 

I think I cannot conclude this letter to you 
more properly, than with the following fine lines 
of Mr. Addison^s from the Spectator, vol. vi. 



54 LETTER III. 

No. 465, which I hope you are not too polite 
to look upon as an unfashionable quotation. 

The spacious Firmament on High, 
With all the blue ethereal Sky, 
And spangl'd Hcav'ns, a shining frame, 
Their great Original proclaim : 
Th' unwearied Sun, from day to day, 
Does his Creator's pow'r display, 
And publishes to ev'ry land 
The work of an Almighty Hand. 
Soon as the evening shades prevail, 
The Moon takes up the wond'rous tale, 
And nightly to the list'ning Earth, 
Repeats the story of her birth : 
Whilst all the Stars that round her burn. 
And all the Planets in their turn. 
Confirm the tidings as they roll. 
And spread the truth from pole to pole. 
What though, in solemn silence, all 
Move round the dark terrestrial Ball 7 
What tho' nor real voice nor sound 
Amid their radiant orbs be found 1 
In reason's ear, they all rejoice, 
And utter forth a glorious voice. 
For ever singing, as they shine, 
" The Hand that madtf us is divine.'* 

And am, &c. 



I^ETTER IT. i>» 



LETTER IV. 

Of the Nature of the Heavenly Bodies con." 
tinned^ with the Opinions of the Ancients 
concerning the Sun and Stars. 

Sir, 

You tell me you begin to be a tolerable 
good Copernican^ and would now be glad to 
have my opinion further upon the nature of the 
Sun and Stars, with regard to the suggestions 
of their being like bodies of fire. This you say 
will go a great way towards confirming you in 
the notion you have begun to embrace of a plu- 
rality of systems, and a much greater multipli- 
city of worlds than our little solar system can 
admit of. Besides, showing in a very evident 
light, that the Authorities cited in my first letter 
are founded upon the clearest reason. 

Anaxagoras, you say, believed the Sun to be 
a lump of red hot iron; Euripides thought it a 
clod of gold ; and others still more ridiculously 
have imagined it to be a dark body, void of all 
heat. That the Sun is a vast body of blazing 
matter, notwithstanding the various opinions of 
those primitive Sages, will, I think, hardly ad- 
mit of a question : since the known warmth of 
his prolific beams, and the visible effect of the 
burning-glass, puts it quite out of the power of 
our present set of senses, at least to argue 
against it ; and how reasonably we may imagine 



56 LETTER IV. 

the Stars to be all of the same or like nature, 
will sufficiently appear from these following con- 
siderations: first, it is well known to all Mathe- 
maticians, that any visible object of any deter- 
mined magnitude may be reduced to the appear- 
ance of a physical point, [What is here meant 
by a physical point, is a point visible to the naked 
eye, which human art cannot divide ; and so far 
it partakes of the property of a mathematical 
one, which is only to be conceived, and not 
seen.] by removing the eye of the observer to 
a proper or proportionable distance from it, with- 
in the finite view: and that the apparent diame- 
ter of every luminous celestial body, will always 
be diminished reciprocally, in proportion to the 
distance from the eye, till they become altoge- 
ther imperceptible. 

Thus the disk of the Sun, which appears to us 
at Earth under an angle of about half a degree, 
if seen from the planet Saturn, Vrould appear 
not much bigger than the planet Venus or Ju- 
piter, in their most neighbouring vicinity does 
to us ; and consequently to an eye placed in the 
Aphelion point of the orbit of the great Comet 
of 1680, his apparent diameter would be so re- 
duced as to seem but little bigger than the lar- 
gest of the Stars ; and by the same analogy, or 
way of reasoning, admitting space and distance 
infinite, which I humbly apprehend is not to be 
disputed, were all the matter in the universe 
united, and conglobed in one mass, with respect 
to ocular sensation, it might be diminished so 
near to a mathematical punction, as to be almost 
adequate to our ideas of nothing. 

This to any tolerable Optician, must be an evi- 
dent conviction of the truth of the modern As- 
tronomy, which now universally allow all those 



LETTER IV. 



57 



radiant bodies the Stars to be of the same na- 
ture with the Sun ; and that as certainly they 
are no other than vast Globes of blazing mat- 
ter, all undoubtedly shining by their own native 
light. 

But as you have often objected to what has 
been said of the distance of the Stars in gene- 
ral, and may possibly from a supposition, that 
they are, or may be, much nearer to us, infer, 
that their light, like that of the Planets, may be 
also borrowed from the Sun, or from some other 
radiant body, which, from the nature of the sup- 
position, must of consequence be invisible to us, 
I judge it will not be amiss to throw a few de- 
monstrative arguments in your way, in order to 
lead you a little out of the path of an early pre- 
judice, and draw you as it were by degrees 
through the dawn of astronomical reasoning, out 
of your original error, and rescue your imagina- 
tion from the false notions imbibed from Phaeno- 
mena only in your younger years. This I guess 
cannot fail of reconciling you to this more ra- 
tional way of thinking, and make you acquainted 
with truths of much consequence, which perhaps 
you have yet been an entire stranger to. The 
grand Deceptio Visus, which I must first en- 
deavour to remove, and which as a sort of Pa- 
radox in nature, has, as I may say, imprisoned 
the understanding of many superficial reasoners, 
and in general all incurious men, is this. 

Most people are too apt to think originally, 
that as the Heavens appear to be a vast con- 
cave Hemisphere, that the Stars mu&t of course, 
as of consequence, be fixed there, hke so many 
radiant studs of fire, of various magnitudes ; and 
take it for granted, chiefly designed for no other 
purpose than to deck and adorn the canopy of 

8 



58 LETTER IV, 

our night. This was long ago the opinion of 
Thales the Milesian^ and wants not the autho- 
rity of many of the Ancients to back it. Others, 
in particular ^ Ptolomy of Pelusium in Africa^ 
who from his experience in this Science, is called 
by some the Prince of Astronomers, believed 
them to be loop-holes in the vast sohd celestial 
Firmament, emitting the light of the Crystalline 
Heaven through it to all within it. The famous 
Diogenes cotemporary with Plato^ conceived 
them to be of the nature of Pumice-stones, and 
inclined to an opinion, that they were the Spi- 
raciila, or Breathing-holes of Heaven. Anaxa- 
goras thought them stones snatched up from the 
Earth by the rapidity of its motion, and set on 
fire in the upper regions above the Moon. 

But how ridiculous and absurd all these opi- 
nions and conjectures really are, will easily ap- 
pear, if we but once consider the nature of an 
unbounded aether, and the amazing property of 
infinite space. 

This, with what has been said before, will not 
a little assist your imagination towards conceiv- 
ing the reasonableness of the notion modern 
Astronomers are now confirmed in, of their be- 
ing absolutely so many burning balls, and which 
was no doubt, many years ago, the opinion of 

* Ptolomy supposed two Heavens above that of the fixed 
Stars, which he called the eighth, viz., a ninth, the Crystal- 
line, and a tenth the Frimum Mobile. See Letter the second. 

The sacred Sun, above the waters rais'd, 
Thro' Heav'ns eternal, brazen Portals blaz'd; 
And wide o'er Earth difFus'd his cheering Kiy, 
To Gods and Men to give the golden day. 

Homer. 



LETTSR IV. ^^ 

Manilius, as is evident from these lines in his 
Poem of the Sphere. 

For how can we the rising Stars conceive 
A casual production ; or believe 
Of the chang'd Heav'ns the oft renascent 
SoVs t frequent births, and his ^quotidian Fate. 

Sherburjse. 
And again in the same Poem : 

The fiery Stars, and aether that creates 
Infinite orbs, and others dissipates. 

Zoroaster, Xhe^Y^i of all Philosophers we 
read of who studied the Stars, is reported to 
have believed them of a fiery nature. Empe- 
docles judged them to be fire sethereal, struck 
forth in its secretion, and blazing in the upper 
Regions. Plato thought them fire, with the 
mixture of other elements as Cements. Hera- 
elides worlds by themselves, of Earth, Air, and 
Fire ; and Aristotle, simple bodies of the sub- 
stance of Heaven, but more condensed. 

But that I may not take up too much of your 
time with opinions that have been imbibed in the 
infancy of Astronomy, and have long ago been 
exploded, I shall attempt but one thing more to 
confirm your sentiments in this new doctrine. 

First, that the Stars are all at a distance, not 
to be determined by the utmost perfection of 
human art, is manifest from their having very 



t Xenophanes believed the Stars to be no other than Clods 
set on fire, quenched in the day-time, and rekindled in the 
night. 



60 LETTER IV. 

little, or no sensible parallax ; and consequently, 
that any one of them is absolutely bigger or less 
than another, from the simple laws of Optics, 
cannot possibly come under our observation to 
be ascertained ; but that they all of them may 
be nearly of the same size or solidity, is as im- 
possible, with any show of reason to deny, since 
it is a known principle in Geometry, that all vi- 
sible objects naturally diminish, as has been said 
before, or are magnified in a certain proportion 
to their distance fi*om the eye ; and hence we 
may conclude, and not without reason in its 
strongest light to support us, that the smallest 
Stars, to the very least denomination, are only 
removed respectively more distant from the ob- 
server's station ; and that at least this we may 
be certain of, that they are all together un- 
doubtedly an infinity of like bodies ; distributed 
either promiscuously, or in some regular order 
throughout the mundane space : and, as Marino 
says, 

Resplendent sparks of the first fire I 
In which the beauty we adniire, 
And light of those eternal rays, 
The uncreated mind displays.* 

It remains now I think to show, and endea- 
vour to prove, that the Stars are not only hght 
bodies of the nature of the Sun, but that they 
are really so many Suns, all performing like of- 

* Mr. Bradley, Astronomer-Royal, has, in a great measure, 
proved that the aberration of the Stars hitherto mistaken for a 
Parallax, may arise from, and indeed seems to be no other 
than the progressive motion of light, and change of place to 
the eye, arising from the Earth's annual motion and direc- 
tion. 



LETTER IV. 61 

fices of heat and gravity, in a regular order, 
throughout the visible creation, in opposition to 
an opinion you have formerly hinted at, of their 
being in another sense ojf a secondary na- 
ture. 

All objects within the sensible sphere of the 
Sun's attraction, or activity, are in some' mea- 
sure magnified by a good Telescope: but the 
Stars are all placed so far without it, that the 
best glasses have no other effect upon them than 
making them appear more vivid or lively, but all 
inate opaque bodies, reflecting only a borrowed 
light from some primary one, contrary to this 
property, are all observed to lose their light, in 
the same proportion, as they are magnified, and 
through all glasses become more dull than other- 
wise they appear to the naked eye : and hence 
we may infer, without any further evidence, that 
the Stars are all light bodies endowed with na- 
tive lustre ; and that bodies, like the known 
Planets, from the same reasoning, it is clear 
they cannot be, because their distance, though 
uncertain as to the truth of the whole, yet such 
a part of it as cannot be denied, would render 
them all in such a case invisible. 

A proof of this will plainly present itself, if 
we consider the course of the known Comets, 
who all of them, without exception, become im- 
perceptible, and intirely disappear ; though most 
of them much bigger than the Earth, or any of 
the lesser Planets, long before they arrive at their 
respective Aphelions. 

But we are under a kind of necessity to be- 
lieve them either Suns or Planets, that is either 
dark or light bodies ; and since I have shown 
the improbability ; nay, I may venture to say, 
the impossibihty of their being the first, it is na- 



651 LETTER IV. 

tural sure to conclude, that th«y must be of the 
last sort ; and I am persuaded, if you but once 
consider how ridiculous it is to imagine so vast 
a number of bodies, all rolling roui^ a number 
of invisible Suns, which must otherwise be the 
case, since they are seen on all sides of ours, 
and cannot possibly be enlightened by him, or 
any, how all of them, by any one else, you can- 
not possibly have any sort of difficulty in this 
determination: but that no arguments may be 
wanting to enforce your belief of what is here 
concluded, it will not be amiss to put you in mind 
of an optical experiment or two, which cannot 
fail of convincing you of the vast probability of 
what is here asserted of them ; and next to a 
moral certainty, demonstrate the truth of what 
so many of the best Astronomers have advanced, 
as before namely, that the Stars are all, or most 
of them. Suns like ours. 

Place any concave Lense before your eye, and 
you will find all visible objects will appear 
through it, as removed to a much greater dis- 
tance than they really are at, and reciprocally 
as much diminished. Now, if you look upon one 
of these glasses of a proper concavity, opposed 
to the Sun or Moon, you will respectively have 
the appearance of a real Star or Planet, the first 
exhibited by the body of the Sun, the other by 
the Moon, and either more or less diminished in 
proportion to the surface of the sphere the glass 
is ground to. 

For example, a double concave, or glass of a 
negative focus, ground to a sphere of about three 
inches diameter, will if opposed to the Sun's 
disk at a proper distance from the eye, help you 
to a very good idea how the Sun appears to the 
planet Jupiter ; and if a proper regard be had 



LETTER IV, 63 

to the distance of the planet Saturn^ a Lense 
still more concave may be formed to give a just 
idea of the Sun's appearance to Saturn, Again, 
one much more concave than the former, pro- 
portioned to the orbit of Mars^ will naturally 
exhibit the solar body, as seen from that Pla- 
net. 

To the planet Venus and Mercury^ the Sun 
appearing much larger than to us at the Earth, 
to have any tolerable notion of his varied Phse- 
nomena to them, it will be necessary to procure 
glasses of a suitable convexity, ground to reci- 
procal concaves, which may easily be done to 
any focus, so as to show how the Sun, naturally 
appears to the inhabitants of those two Pla- 
nets. 

The various appearances of the Planets them- 
selves to us at the Earth, may also well enough 
be had, if through glasses analagous to their re- 
spective distance and magnitude, we look at the 
Moon, particularly all the phases of Venus ^ and 
even of Mercury^ and the gibosity of Mars, &>c. 
may be justly and beautifully represented at 
different ages of the Moon, as those Planets 
appear through the largest and best Tele- 
scopes. 

This way you may convince even your 
friend ^ * ^ , who you tell me has reasoned all 
his senses useless, and yet continues so great an 
atheist in Astronomy, as not to believe the world 
turns round upon its axis, though he gives no 
better reason for it than that of his not being 
giddy. 

After all these arguments, I hope no new dif- 
ficulties will arise to retard your belief, or de- 
prive the Stars of their solar nature, so justly 
due to them; this point gained, the next thing to 



64 LETTER IV. 

be considered is, whether all those glorious bo- 
dies, the far greater part of whom being invisi- 
ble to the naked eye, were made purely and 
purposely for the sole use of this diminitive worlds 
our little trifling Earth. 

— Men, conceited lords of all. 
Walk proudly o'er this pendent ball. 
Fond of their little spot below, 

Nor greater beings care to know, 

Sut think those worlds^ which deck the skies. 

Were only form' d to please their eyes* 

Duck. 

The very supposition not only implies a pro- 
found ignorance of the Divine Attributes, but is 
as impious, and full of vanity, as it is erroneous 
and absurd, and even a blindness sufficient of it- 
self, were there no other cause for it, to intro- 
duce idolatry in the minds of mortals, by sink- 
ing the divine nature so near to the human. 

It being granted that the Stars are all of the 
same kind, I think it may be agreed, that what 
we evince of any one may be allowed to be true 
of any other, and consequently of all the rest. 
This Postulata gained, I shall next proceed to 
enquire what the real use and design of so many 
radiant bodies are, or may be made for. 

The Sun we have justly reduced to the state 
of a Star, why then in reason should he have his 
attendant Planets round him, more than any of 
the rest, his undoubted equals ? No shadow 
of a reason can be given for such an absur- 
dity. 

May we not with the greatest confidence ima- 
gine, that nature as justly abhors a Vacuum in 



LETTER ir. 65 

place, as much as virtue does in time ? Surely, 
yes, and by supposing the infinity of Stars, all 
centres to as many systems of innumerable 
worlds, all alike unknown to us ; how naturally 
do we open to ourselves a vast field of probation, 
and an endless scene cf hope to ground our ex- 
pectation of an ever-future happiness upon, suit- 
able to the native dignity of the awful mind, 
which made and comprehends it ; and whose 
works are all as the business of an eternity ? 

If the Stars were ordained merely for the use 
of us, why so much extravagance and ostenta- 
tion in their number, nature, and make ? For 
a much less quantity, and smaller bodies, placed 
nearer to us, would every way answer the vain 
end we put them to ; and besides, in all things 
else, nature is most frugal, and takes the nearest 
way, through all her works, to operate and effect 
the will of God. It scarce can be reckoned 
more irrational, to suppose animals with eyes, 
destined to live in eternal darkness, or without 
eyes to live in perpetual day, than to imagine 
space illuminated, where there is nothing to be 
acted upon, or brought to light ; therefore we 
may justly suppose, that so many radiant bodies 
were not created barely to enlighten an infinite 
void, but to make their much more numerous 
attendants visible ; and instead of discovering a 
vast unbounded desolate negation of beings, dis- 
play an infinite shapeless universe, crowded with 
myriads of glorious worlds, all variously revolv- 
ing round them ; and which form an atom, to an 
indefinite Creation, with an inconceivable varie- 
ty of beings and states, that animate and fill the 
endless orb of immensity. 

That the sidereal Planets are not visible to us, 
ean be no objection to their actual existeuee, and 
9 



60 LETTER IV. 

being there, is plain from this ; it is well known, 
that the Stars themselves, which are their cen- 
tral, and only radiant bodies, are little more to 
us at the Earth, than mathematical points. How 
ridiculous then is it to expect, that any of their 
small opaque attendance, should ever be per- 
ceived so far as the Earth hj us ; arid besides, 
to show the impossibiUty of such a discovery, we 
need only consider, what is, and what is not to 
be expected, or known in our own home system. 
All the Planets in this our sensible region, every 
Astronomer knows, is far from being visible to 
one another, in every individual sphere ; for to 
an eye at the orb of Saturn, this Earth we live 
upon, which requires years to circumscribe, and 
ages to be made acquainted with, and is far from 
being yet all known, cannot possibly from the 
above Planet be seen: and further, since Saturn 
and Jupiter, two of the most material and con- 
siderable Globes we know of, except the Eun 
himself, are bodies apparently of the same kind, 
and are observed to have each a number of les- 
ser Planets moving round them ; why may we 
not expect with equal certainty and propriety, 
that all other bodies, under the same circum^ 
stances, are in like manner attended; that is, 
seeing the Sun is found to be the centre of a 
system of bodies, all variously volving round 
him ? where lies the improbability of his fellow 
luminaries, the Stars, being surrounded in like 
sort, with more or less of such attendance. 

I shall offer but one thing more to your con-^ 
sideration in this affair, and which I am in great 
hopes will be sufficient to make you think these 
natural suggestions a good deal more than pro- 
bable, and that is this : 

The modern Astronomers having, in a greal 



LETTER IV. 



m 



measure, proved that the Stars are, in all re- 
spects, vast Globes of fire like our Sun. Let us 
suppose a new-created mind, or thinking b^ing, 
in a profound state of ignorance, with regard to 
the nature of all external objects, but fully en- 
dowed with every human sense and force of rea- 
son, suspended in aether, exactly in the midway, 
betwixt Syrius and the Sun ; [A Star of the 
£rst magnitude in the greater Dog, and the 
most neighbouring to our Sun.] in which case, 
both of these luminaries would equally appear 
much about the brightness of the largest of our 
Planets. Now should such a being, determined 
either by accident or choke, arrive at this our 
system of the Sun, and seeing all the planetary 
bodies moving round him, I would ask you what 
you think he would imagine to be round Syrius? 
Your answer, I think I may venture to say,would 
not be nothing; and methinks I already hear 
^ou say, why Planets such as ours. 

PLATE XL 

Is designed as a geometrical scale to all the 
primary parts of the visible Creation, with re- 
gard to the distance of orbits compared with 
the Globe of the Sun : by which at once may 
be conceived, and justly measured in the mind, 
not only the mean distance cf the Planets with 
regard to oiie another, but also that of the Comets, 
aiid even the comparative distances of the near- 
est of the Stars, which will, I guess, greatly help 
you to form an idea of the vast extent of space 
necessary to comprehend the whole Creation. 

Fig. 1. Is a radius of the orbit of Mercury, 
in true proportion to the bcdy of the Sun repre- 
sented at S, showing at the same time a small 
portion of the opaque Planet's orbit, and the real 
length of its shadow at P. 



^\ LETTER IT* 

Fig* 2. Is a radius of the whole system of the 
Planets as far as the orbit of Saturn in propor- 
tion to a complete orbit of Mercury^ much less 
than the former ; the former serving as a better 
known scale to consider the amazing distances 
of the more remote Planets hy. 

Lastly, Fig. 3. Is a representation of the least 
possible distance of Syrius and the Sun, propor- 
tionable to the magnitude of the sphere of our 
Comets, &.C., represented at S, whereby it evi- 
dently appears, that as all the Planets of Syrius 
must be included within the small sphere repre- 
sented in the centre P, none of them could pos- 
sibly be seen at the Sun, not only by reason of 
the smallness of the angle of sustension, or elon- 
gation, but also as being lost in the superior light 
of Syrius himself, in so minute an orb of vici- 
tiity. 

Consequently (as you must perceive) no argu- 
ments can possibly be drawn to deny the exist- 
ence of such bodies, with any show of reason, 
from their not having been seen by us. 

Here I must observe to you, that you cannot 
consider this scale of orbits too much before you 
look upon Plate XVII. 

To conclude, it evidently seems to be the end 
and design of Providence, by this visible varie- 
ty of beings, to lift the minds of men above this 
narrow Earth, in search of that powerful being 
upon which we are all so much dependant; and 
the Creator^ no doubt, in this vast display of 
his wisdom and power, designed the amazing 
whole, as the adequate object of every part, and 
as such equally open on all sides, to the pene- 
trating progress of human minds, and through 
the most extensive faculty of sense, the sight, to 
draw our reason and understanding by degrees, 



LETTER ir. d§ 

from finite objects into infinity; and as the last 
result of celestial contemplations place within 
our reach, a certain evidence of a future state, 
and the manifest mansions of rewards and 
punishments^ suited no doubt most equitahly 
to all degrees of virtue^ and to every vice. 

^' When I consider (says Mr. Addison^ speak- 
ing as having taken particular notice of a fine 
evening) that infinite host of Stars, or to speak 
more philosophically of Suns, which were then 
shining upon me, with those innumerable sets of 
planets or worlds, which were then moving round 
their respective Suns; when I still enlarge the 
idea, and supposed another Heaven of Suns and 
Worlds rising still above this which we disco- 
vered ; and these still enlightened by a superior 
firmament of luminaries, which are planted at 
so great a distance, that they may appear to the 
inhabitants of the former as the Stars do to us ; 
in short, w^hilst I pursued this thought, I could 
not but reflect on that little insignificant figure 
which I myself bore amongst the immensity of 
God's works:" this reflection, I judge, as you 
are an admirer of the Author, you will not look 
upon as impertinent in this place, especially as 
it must enforce what I have endeavoured to show 
you, namely, the reasonableness of a plurality 
of sideral systems, and their multiplicity of 
worlds ; which, if you are yet in doubt of, I hope 
you will at least forgive so well designed an at- 
tempt with your usual candour. 

I am now prepared to proceed in the chief 
design of this undertaking, which is to solve the 
Phaenomena of the Via Lactea; and propose in 
my next to answer more fully your farther request. 

And am, Slc, 



'0 I^ETTBR T. 



LETTER V. 



Of the Order ^ Distance, and 3Iultiplicity of 
the Stars, the Via Lactea, and EMent of the 
nisible Creation^ 



Sir, 

We are told, and, if I remember right, it is 
also your opinion, that three of the finest sights 
in nature, are a rising Sun at sea, a verdant 
landskip with a Rainbow, and a clear Star-light 
evening : all of which I have myself often ob» 
served with vast delight and pleasure. The first 
I have frequently beheld, and always with an 
agreeable surprise ; the second I have as often 
taken notice of, with no small degree of admira- 
tion ; but the last I shall never look up to with- 
out an astonishment, even mixed with a kind of 
rapture. The night you last left us, this admira- 
ble scene was in full beauty; and, as Milton 
says. 

Silence was pleasM : now glowM the Firmament 
With living saphirs : Hesperus that led 
The starry Host rode brightest. — 

I found it was impossible to look long upon 
this stupendous scene, so full of amazing objects, 
and particularly the Via Lactea, which (the 



LETTER V. 71 

Moon being absent) was then in great perfec- 
tion, without being put in mind of my task. This 
surprising zone of light being the chief object 
I have undertaken to treat of and demon- 
strate. 

This amazing Phaenomenon which has been 
the occasion of so many Fables, idle Romances, 
and ridiculous opinions amongst the Ancients^, 
still continues to be unaccounted for, and even 
in an age vain enough to boast Astronomy in its 
utmost perfection. 

What will you say, if I tell you, it is my be- 
lief we are so far from the real summit of the 
science, that we scarce yet know the rudiments 
of what may be expected from it. This luminous 
circle has often engrossed my thoughts, and of 
late has taken up all my idle hours ; and I am 
now in great hopes I have not only at last found 
out the real cause of it, but also by the same 
hypothesis, which solves this appearance, shall 
be able to demonstrate a much more rational 
theory of the Creation than hitherto has been 
any where advanced, and at the same time give 
you an entire new idea of the universe, or infi- 
nite system of things. This most surprising zone 
of light, which has employed successively for 
many ages past, the Avisest heads amongst the 
Ancients, to no other purpose than barely to de- 
scribe it; we find to be a perfect circle, and 
nearly bisecting the celestial sphere, but very 
irregular in breadth and brightness, and in ma- 
ny places divided into double streams. 

The principal part of it runs through the 
Eagle, the Sic an, Cassmpea, Perseus, and 
Auriga, and continues its course by the head of 
Monoceros, along by the greater Dog through 



"72 LETTER t", 

the Ship, and underneath the Centaur^s Feet^ 
till having passed the Altar, the Scorpion^s 
Tail, and the bow of Aquarius, it ends at last 
where it begun.* 

PLATE XII, and XIII. 

Represent the two hemispheres, where its 
true track is distinguished amongst the principal 
Stars, and may easily be conceived by them to 
circumscribe and bisect the whole Heavens. 

This is that Phsenomena I am about to ex- 
plain and account for ; but before I proceed far- 
ther, I judge it will be no improper precognita, 
to give you the thoughts of the Ancients upon 
it ; the relation perhaps may require some pa- 
tience ; but I guess, that after reading such wild 
and extravagant notions concerning it, you will 
naturally judge more favourably of the conjec- 

* '— Carried toward the opposed Bears^ 



Its course close by the Artie circle steers, 
And by inverted Cassiopea tends ; 
Thence by the Swan obliquely it descends 
The Summer tropic, and Jove's bird divides ; 
Then cross the Equator, and the Zodiac glides 
'Twixt Scorpions burning tail, and the left part 
Of Sngitarius, near the fiery dart ; 
Then by the other Centaur s legs and feet, 
Winding remounts the skies (again to meet} 
By Argos' topsail, and Heav'ns middle sphere. 
Passing the Twins, t' o'ertake the charioteer ; 
Thence Cassiopea seeking thee does run, 
O're Perseus'' head, and ends where it begun. 

Sher. Maniliijs. 



LETTER V, 



73 



tures of the moderns upon it, and particular- 
ly of what is concluded in the succeeding 
pages. 

Theophrastus ^ was of opinion, that the he- 
mispheres, which, by many of the Ancients were 
imagined to be solid, was joined together here ; 
and that this was the soldering of the two parts 
into one. t Diodorus thought it celestial fire, 
of a dense and compact nature, seen through 
the clifs or cracks of the parting hemisphere : 
but as Manilius says : 

Astonishment must sure their senses reach, 

To see the world's wide wound, and Heav'n's eternal breach. 

Oenopides II believed it the Ancient way of 
the Sun, till frighted at the bloody banquet of 
Thyeslis, § Eratosthenes supposed it Juno's 
milk, spilt whilst giving suck to Hercules. 

* Macrohius, lib. i. cap 15. 

Or meets Heaven here ! and this white Cloud appears 
The Cement of the close-wedg'd Hemispheres ! 

t The sacred causes human breasts enquire, 
Whether the heavenly segments there retire, 
The whole mass shrinking, and the parting fame 
Through cleavmg chinks admits the stranger flame. 

S Or seems that old opinion of more swa^ ' 
That the Sun's horses here once run astray, 
And a new path mark'd in their straggling flight, 
Of scorching skies, and Stars adjusted light. 

§ Nor must that gentle rumor be supprest. 
How milk once flowing from fair Juno's breast, 
Stain'd the celestial pavement, from whence came 
This milky path, its cause shown in its name. 
10 



74 LETTER r. 

* PiLtTTARCH makes it the effect of Phaefori^s 
confused erratication ; but I think it is plain 
t Ovid judged them to be Stars, and the ancient 
Ethnicks he\\e\edL them to be the bUssful seats^ 
of valient and heroic souls. 

— — Valiant souls, freed from- corporeal gives, 
Thither repair, and lead aethereal lives. 

Manilius* 

But X Democrittjs long ago believed'them to 
be an mfinif e number of small Stars ; and such 
of late years they have been discovered to be, 
first by Gallileo, next by Kepler, and now con- 
firmed by all modern Astronomers, who have 
ever had an opportunity of seeing them through 
a good Telescope. 

PLATE XIV. 

Is from an observation I made myself, of a 
bright part of this zone near the feet of Anti- 
nous; which, (by a mistake of the Engraver) is, 
as it appears thro' a tube of two convex glasses^ 

* When from the hu-ri-ied Chariot light'ning fled, 
And scatter'd blazes all the Skies o'erspread ; 
By whose approach new Stars enkindled were^ 
Which still as marks of that sad chance appear. 

MaNILIUSp 

t A way there is in Heaven's expanded plain, 

Which when the Skies are clear, is seen below, 

And mortals by the name of Milky, know. 

The ground-work is of Stars ► . . . 

Ovid's Met. lib. i* 

* Plutarch (in Placiiis Philosoph.) 



13ETTER T. 75 

I saw it through a very good reflector, and 
formed the plan by a comhination of triangles- 
Milton takes notice of this zone in a most 
beautiful manner, where he describes the Crea- 
tor's return from his six day's work to Heaven, 
he introduces it as a simile to express his idea 
of the eternal way, or road to the celestial joaan- 
«ions. 

A broad and ample road, wliose dust is gold, 

And pavement Stars, as Stars to thee appear, 
Seen in the Ga/axie, that milky way, 
Which nightly as a circling zone thou seest 
Powder'd with Stars. 

But to infer from their appearances only, that 
they are really Stars, without considermg their 
nature and distance ; and that nothing but ^tars 
could possibly produce such an effect, may per- 
haps be assuming too much, when we have 
nothing but the bare credit of the Belgic glasses 
to support our conjectures ; and although this 
may be sufficient for any mathematician, yet 
for your great satisfaction, I have thought pro- 
per to give two or three more evincing argu- 
ments, to confirm these important discoveries. 
Democritus^ as I have said before, believed 
them to be Stars long before Astronomy reaped 
any benefit from the improved sciences of op- 
lics ; and saw, as we may say, through the eye 
of reason, full as far into infinity as the most 
able Astronomers in more advantageous times 
have done since, even assisted with their best 
glasses : And his conjectures are almost as old 
as the philoliac system of the planets itself; the 
construction of which, though attempted by 



76 LETTER V. 

many, none have ever yet been able to con- 
fute. 

The light which naturally flows from this 
crowd of radiant bodies is niixt and confused, 
chiefly occasioned by the agitation, of our at- 
mosphere, and from a union of their rays of 
light, by a too near proximity of their beams^ 
altogether they appear like a river of milk, but 
more of a pelucid nature, running all round the 
Starry regions. 

For in the azure Skies its candid way, 
Shines like the dawning morn, or closing day. 

There are also many more such luminous 
spaces to be found in the Heavens of the same 
nature with these, w hich we know to be Stars ; 
in particular the Nebulie, or cloudy Star in the 
Pr€Bsep€ of 36 ; a cloudy Star in Orion of 21 ; 
[Vide Galileo,'] a cloudy [Betwixt the Sword 
and Girdle of Orion,'] knot not far from this 
in the same asterism of 80 ; in one degree of 
the same constellation 500, and in the whole 
from above [Vide Reitlia,] 2000. All of which 
are great confirmations of the truth of our asser- 
tion, i, e, that this zone of light proceeds from 
an infinite number of small Stars. Here it will 
not be amiss to observe, that it has been con- 
jectured, and is strongly suspected, that a pro- 
per number of rays, meeting from different di- 
rections, become flame ; and that hence it may 
prove not the Sun's real body which we daily 
see, but only his inflamed Atmosphere: I be- 
gin to be of opinion, and I think not without 
reason, that the true magnitude of the Sun is 
not near what the modern Astronomers have 
made it ; and that it may not possibly be much 



LETTER V. T7 

above two thirds of what it appears to us; I 
don't mean that this expansion of the solar flame 
is any part of that dilated hght mentioned by 
Sir Isaac Newton, and conceived to be round 
all light bodies in general ; but you may con- 
sider er it as not much differing from it, not of 
an unlike nature, only greater in degree, and 
peculiar to the Sun and Stars, who are all, as 
has been before in a manner demonstrated to be 
actually globes of fire. 

This, though I presume to call it at present 
only mere hypothesis, will in a great measure 
account for the excessive changes in the con- 
stitution of our air and atmosphere, which we 
often find very unnatural to the season; also be 
a means perhaps of reconciling the vast dispro- 
portion so very remarkable betwixt the Sun and 
the lesser Planets, and many other circumstances 
in the system of no small consequence in Astro- 
nomy : one of which particulars you have fre- 
quently expressed a great mistrust and disap- 
probation of, as suspecting some kind of a fallacy 
in the computation ; and the other is matter of 
general complaint, being by many attributed to 
a change in the direction of the Earth's axis ; 
[Which, through ignorance of the true case, is 
commonly called a shock, a brush, or shove.] 
and by some, especially the vulgar, to too near 
an approximation of the Earth to some one of 
the celestial bodies. But all this will very natu- 
rally be accounted for by the levity, or expand- 
ing quality of the Sun's circumambient flame, 
or atmosphere ; and hence, according to its 
various state, being more condensed, or rare, 
we may have heat or cold in the greatest ex- 
treme, and alternately so, in a perpetual vicissi- 
tude. 



78 LETTER V. 

The truth of this doctrine will evidently ap- 
pear from the observations of the Sun's diame- 
ter through the year 1660, by the indefatigable 
Mouton : and, I must ow^n, I am not a little sur- 
prised to find that no conclusions have been 
drawn from them of this kind. I am persuaded^ 
if you once compare those numbers, you will be 
very far from thinking this an improbable sug- 
gestion. But this digression has led me a little 
too far from the Via Lactea^ and too near home 
again ; I must now think of returning to the 
Stars, and my next endeavours must be to give 
you some idea of the number of them. Through 
very good Telescopes, there have been discover- 
ed in many parts of this enlightened space, and 
even out of it, several thousand Stars in the 
eompass of one square degree ; in particular 
near the sword of Perseus, and in the constel- 
lations of Taurus and Orion, [Galileo in one 
cloudy Star of this constellation, discovered no 
less than twenty-one, and in that of the Pne- 
sepe thirty-six.] 

PLATE XV. 

Represents the Pleaides, a well known knot 
of Stars in the sign Taurus, as they appeared 
to me through a one foot reflecting Telescope : 
And Plate XVI. as a view of the Persides, 
another surprising knot of Stars in the constel- 
lation Perseus, exactly as they appear through 
a tube of two convex glasses. There are also 
other luminous spaces in the starry regions, not 
unlike the milky way, which I have had no op- 
portunity of observing ; such as the Nebeeul^e, 
near the South Pole, called by the Seamen Ma- 
gellanic clouds; and which likewise viewed 



LETTER r^ 79 

through Telescopes, present us with battle iVe- 
bulos and small Stars interspersed : one of 
these kind is situated between Hydrus and Do- 
rado ; and another, something less than this, 
betwixt Hydriis and the Toucan, 

Now admitting the breadth of the Via Lactea 
to be at a mean but nine degrees, and supposing 
only twelve hundred Stars in every square de- 
gree, there will be nearly in the whole orbicu- 
lar Area 3,888,000 Stars, and all these in a very 
minute portion of the great expanse of Heaven. 
What ! a vast idea of endless beings must this 
produce and generate in our minds ; and when 
we consider them all as flaming Suns progeni- 
tors, and Primum Mobiles of a still much 
greater number of peopled worlds, what less 
than an infinity can circumscribe them, less 
than an eternity comprehend them, or less than 
omnipotence produce and support them, and 
where can our wonder cease? 

In this place perhaps I ought not to pass over 
the astonishing Phsenomenon of several new 
Stars, &.C., which have frequently appeared, and 
soon again vanished, in the same point of the 
Heavens. But as the business of this Theory 
is rather to solve the general, than any particular 
Phsenomenon, I shall only here by way of note 
subjoin a table of such as have been regularly 
observed, and by whom they were first dis- 
covered. 

A TABLE OF SEVERAL NEW STARS, 
Nebula, and double Stars, &c. 

Names of the Stars with Observations, 

Septima Pleiadum, — Lost after the burning 
of Troy J but now returned; see Ricciolus, 



80 LETTER V. 

A new Star appeared in Cassiopea, nearly in 
the same place with that of 1572. — Anno Dom, 
945, bright as Jupiter; see Ricciolus, 

The new Star in Cassiopea's chair. — Bright 
as Venus, from November 1572 to March 
1574. 

A new Star in CoUoCeti, — Of the third mag- 
nitude, is said to have appeared periodically, 
seven times in six years, i, e, every three hun- 
dred and thirteen days : It was first observed 
in August 1596, for two months, by D. Fa- 
hricius, 

A new Star in the Swan's neck, — Observed 
by Kepler in 1600, of the third magnitude, till 
the year 1659 ; then gradually decreasing ; in 
1691 it disappeared ; in 1666 it became visible 
again, and is yet to be seen of the sixth mag- 
nitude. 

A new Star in the right Foot of Serpen- 
tarius^ — Bright as Venus from Octohor 1604 
to October 1605 : see Kepler, 

A new Star in Andromeda's girdle, — Seen by 
Simon Marius and Fabricius, Anno 1612, 

A new Star in Antinous, — Seen by Justus 
Byrgius, 

A new Star seen in the whale, — In 1638, by 
John Procyclides Holuarda, of the third mag- 
nitude, which disappeared periodically, every 
three hundred and thirty days. 

A new Star in the Fox's head, — Of the third 
magnitude, seen by Hevelius in July 1670, and 
till August 1671, also from March 1672 to 
September 1672. 

A new Star in the Swan's neck. — This ap- 
peared periodically every four hundred and four 
days, and about six months at a time; it was 
seen at its brightest, September 10, 1714. 



LETTER T. 8t 

Or THE Nebul.e, or Cloudy Stars. 

Nehulose in Orion's sword. 

Nebulose in Andromeda's girdle. 

Nehulose in the bow of Sagitarius, — Small, 
but very luminous. 

Nehulose in Centaurus^ — Never seen in 
England, 

A Nebulose preceding the right foot of Anti- 
nous^ — Obscure, but vvith a Star in the middle 
of it. 

Nehule in Dorso HercuUs, — Discovered by 
Dr. Halley, 

Besides the Nehulw^ and new^ Stars, it appears 
from the ancient catalogues of Hevelius, &.C., 
that some of the old ones have entirely vanished ; 
in particular, one in the left thigh of Aquarius^ 
the contiguous one preceding in the tail of Ca- 
pricorn; the second on the belly of the Whale; 
the first of the unformed ones after the scales 
of Libra, and several others. Many of the Stars 
also appear to be double, as the first Star of 
Aries and Castor; others triple, as one in the 
Pleiades ; and the middle one in Orion'^s sabre : 
and others again, quadruple, &.c. 

I would now willingly help you to conceive 
the indefinite mutual distance of the Stars, in 
order to give you some small notion of the im- 
mensity of space; but as this will be a task 
merely conjectural, I shall only desire you to: 
believe it as far as your reason will carry you, 
safely supported by an obvious probability. 

Perhaps it may be necessary here to acquaint 
you, that all the Stars are so far apparently of 
different magnitudes, that none of them are to 
be found in the whole Heavens exactly the 
same, either in bigness or brightness, [A very 

11 



WZ LETTER T. 

little knowledge in optics will render this in- 
disputable, and has been in a great measure de- 
monstrated before; 1. in the great dog; 2. in 
Bootes ; 3. in the Bull ; 4. in the Harp of Apollo; 
5. in Auriga; 6. in the Lion; 7. in Orion; 8. in 
the southern Fish; 9. at the end of Erida- 
nus,'] The largest we have sufficient reason to 
believe is the nearest to us ; the next in bigness 
and brightness more remote ; and so on to the 
least we see, which we judge to be the most re- 
mote of all. 

The first degree, or that of the largest mag- 
nitude, we give to Syritjs, the second to Akc- 
TURUS, the third to Aldebakan, the fourth to 
Lyra, the fifth to Capella, the sixth to Regu- 
Lus, the seventh to Rigel, the eighth to Fo- 
MAHAUNT, and the ninth to Antarus : These 
are all said to be of the first class ; and besides 
which, there are at least, within the reach of 
our latest improved optics, nine more denom- 
inations within the radius of the visible cre- 
ation. 

Now, by the certain return of the Comets, 
which we find are all governed by the laws of 
this system, and supposed to be undisturbed by 
any of the others, we cannot avoid concluding, 
if we consider them at all to the purpose, that 
the nearest Star cannot be less distant than 
twice the radius of the greatest orbit belonging 
to the Sun. Most mathematicians think this a 
great deal too near, as it must of course make 
all the systems join, as in contact ; and I think 
we may safely add, to separate their spheres of 
attraction, at least one half of this distance more, 
which will make in the whole about four hun- 
dred and twenty semi-orbits of the Earth, or 
33,600,000,000 miles. This even the ingenioug 



LETTER Y. 83 

Mr. Huygens endeavours to prove still much too 
little, and his arguments are such as cannot ea- 
sily be refuted. His principle is grounded upon 
the known laws of Analogy, as considered in the 
proportion of light surfaces, and is as follows. 
Having reduced the Sun's disk to the appear- 
ance of the Star Syrius, by the help of a small 
hole at the end of his Telescope, and comparing 
this part of his surface to the whole disk of the 
Sun, he infers that the Stars distance to 
that of Sun must be as 27,664 to 1. Hence 
Syrius from us will be nearlv (avoiding units) 
2,213,120,000,000 miles: but'^this I take to be 
as much too large as the former is too little; yet, 
as Mr. Bradley has, with some show of reason, 
banished all the Stars out of the sphere of pa- 
rallax, the last is the only method we can possi- 
bly make use of with any kind of confidence ; 
and Sir Isaac Newton endeavours to recom- 
mend it with great force of argument, as the 
only probable means by which we can give any 
tolerable guess at these immense measurements 
of space. 

To moderate the matter then if you please, 
allow me but to make use of a mean betwixt 
the two fore mentioned numbers ; and we may 
take it for granted, a distance sufficiently exact, 
to suit all our wants in the present case namely, 
to give a very tolerable idea of the extent of 
visible creation, which is all I propose in this 
place to attempt ; but I mean to be much more 
exact in another. 

Now as the distance from the Sun to the 
Earth is so small in proportion to the distance 
of the Stars from us, and from ORe another, vv^e 
may very well consider the Sun as the center of 
our station or position in the general system or 



^4 LETTER V. 

frame of nature. And as the Stars are very vis- 
ible through good Telescopes, to the ninth or 
tenth magnitude, if we multiply the primary 
distance of Syrhis^ or of any other of his class, 
by this number of common intermediate spaces, 
the product will be equal to the radius of the 
visible creation to the solar eye : which, by this 
rule, you will find in capital numbers to be [If 
the distance of the Sun and Earth is found too 
much, which I must own I have a violent suspi- 
cion of, these numbers must be reduced in like 
proportion.] nearly 6,000,000,000,000 miles, 
taking in a Star of the sixth magnitude, and to 
a Star of the ninth, 9,000,000,000,000 miles : 
but this computation supposes a mean common 
distance of the Stars in a sort of syzygia, or di- 
rections of a right line, which is not the real case 
for the Stars caimot be supposed to diminish in 
a proportional magnitude by any mathematical 
Ratio, but by some geometrical, or rather mu- 
sical one ; for instance if the distance of a first 
be 3, that of a second should be about 5, and of 
a proportional third 8,338, &.C., ad infinitum : 
but as their true porportional distance is un- 
know^n, the above will be sufiicient for our pre- 
sent purpose ; which is only to shew, without ex- 
aggeration, the space we now are truly sensi- 
ble of. 

This I have here considered more extensively 
to obviate all objections that you may make to 
the probability of the general motion of the Stars, 
by shewing no difficulty can possibly arise 
from their apparent proximity, number, or ir- 
regular distribution : their distances being so 
immensely large, no disorder or confusion can 
be supposed in any direction of them, or motion 
whatever. The greatest distance of the planets 



LETTER V. 85 

which all move undisturbed round the Sun, is 
about three hundred and fifty three millions of 
miles : but the least distance of one Star from 
another, is upwards of two thousand eight hun- 
dred and thirty-two times that distance, or one 
million of millions of miles: and as no sensible 
disorder can be observed amongst the solar Pla- 
nets, what reason have we to suppose any can 
be occasioned amongst the Stars, or that a gene- 
ral motion of these primary luminaries round a 
common centre, should be any way irrational, or 
unnatural ? 

What an amazing scene does this display to 
us! what inconceivable vastness and ma£;nifi- 
cence of power does such a frame unfold ! Suns 
crowding upon Suns, to our weak sense, indefi- 
nitely distant from each other ; and myriads of 
myriads of mansions, like our own, peopling in- 
finity, all subject to the same Creator's will; a 
universe of worlds, all decked with mountains, 
lakes, and seas, herbs, animals, and rivers, rocks, 
caves, and trees ; and all the produce of indul- 
gent wisdom, to cheer infinity with endless be- 
ings, to whom his omnipotence may give a va- 
riegated eternal life. 

The astonishing distance of the starry Man- 
sions undoubtedly was designed to answer some 
wise end : one consequence is this, and proba- 
bly is not without its use : to every Planet of the 
same system, the same sidereal face of Heaven 
appears without the least degree of change ; and 
as the remotest regions upon Earth see the same 
Moon and Planets, so also the inhabitants of the 
most distant Planets in ours, or in any other sys- 
tem, see the same forms and order of the Stars 
in common with the rest. The whole sphere of 
Heaven being common and unchangeable thro' 
all their various revolutions. 



80 LETTER T. 

Thus those (the people) in the planet Venus 
will see the constellation of Orion just as we 
do, and the people in the planet Saturn^ much 
farther still removed, alike will view this con- 
stellation in all respects the same ; here then, 
(in the system of the Sun) the eye removed from 
us must only hope to find a new Earth surround- 
ed with the same sort of sky: but beings in ano- 
ther system, behold not only a new Heaven 
above, but also new Earths below ; and all the 
frame of nature to them puts on a new dress, 
new signs, new seasons, and new Planets roll, 
and a new Sun renews the day. 

The heathen fables here are all erased with 
all the immortality of their vain earthly Gods 
and heroes ; Perseus and Alcides are no more, 
and both the Bears are vanished ; the Pleiads 
•end the Tlyads join, and shining Leo^ though 
boasting two Stars of the first magnitude with 
us, there no where can be found, lost in the 
common undistinguished herd. But still As- 
tronomy will exist, and new framed forms may 
fill the varied scene. 

Perhaps you may expect that I should here 
give you my conjectures of what sort of beings 
may be supposed to reside in the Ens Primum, 
or Sedes Beatorum of the known universe, 
whether mortal, immortal, or creatures partak- 
ing in some degree of the properties of both ; as 
such may be conceived to change their natures 
and states, without a total dissolution of their 
senses by death : and farther, it may possibly 
be judged unpardonable in me not to point out 
every blessed abode, suited to the virtues, and 
all the various states an immortal soul may be 
translated to; but this is a task above the hu- 
man capacity, or is the pure province of religion 
alone : the business of a revelation rather than 



LETTER V. 87 

reason to discover. Besides, it is enough for 
the present purpose, to prove, that myriads of 
the celestial mansions, are to be discovered 
within our finite view, and by a kind of ocular 
revelation, which visibly extends the human 
prospect, as it were, far beyond the grave, 
it matters not whether a race of heroes fill these 
worlds, or a tribe of happy lovers people those; 
whether a peasant in the realms of Orion shall 
ever become a Prince in the regions of Arctu- 
rus, or a Patriarch in Procyon, a prophet in the 
Precepew, Not to mention all the stages hu- 
man nature may, or have been destined to in 
any one world, as believed by the ancient Phil- 
osophers, besides the final coalition of all beings 
much more naturally to be expected in the 
Sedes Beatorum, 

I say, whatever your case may be with regard 
to these Queries and futurity, the plan and 
principles of this theory will not be at all chang- 
ed by it, since what it is chiefly founded upon 
may be clearly demonstrated, so clearly and in- 
contestably, that, with the Reverend Dr. Youngs 
we may justly conclude, 

Devotion ! Daughter of Astronomy ! 
and affirm with him also, that. 

An indevout Astronomer is mad. 

But I find what I at first proposed will prove 
too long for this letter. However, I will en- 
deavour to reward your patience in my next, 
and continue, &c. 



88 LETTER VI. 



LETTER VI. 

Of General Motion amongst the Stars, the 
Plurality of Systems^ and Innumerabilittf 
of Worlds, 

Sir, 

Since my last, you'll find by this, speaking in 
the style of Kircher, that I have been very far 
from home, round almost the visible Creation. 
I have indeed applied myself very closely to 
transcribe my thoughts to you upon the old sub* 
ject the Milky Way, which my former letter left 
imperfected. To return then to the theory of the 
Stars, and that yet unreconciled Phsenomenon ; 
let us reason a little upon the visible order of the 
Stars in general, and see what conclusions can 
be drawn from what every Astronomer knows 
of them, and cannot be disputed. 

First then, that the Stars are not infinitely 
dispersed and distributed in a promiscuous man- 
ner throughout all the mundane space, without 
order or design, is evident beyond a doubt from 
this vast collective body of light, since no such 
Phcenomenon could possibly be produced by 
chance, or exhibited without a designed disposi- 
tion of its constituent bodies. 

If any regular order of the Stars then can be 
demonstrated that will naturally prove this Phae- 
nomenon to be no other than a certain effect 
arising from the observer's situation, I think you 
must of course grant such a solution at least ra- 



LETTER VI. 89 

tional, if not the truth ; and this is what I pro- 
pose by my new theory. 

To a spectator placed in an indefinite space, 
all very remote objects appear to be equally dis- 
tant from the eye ; and if we judge of the Via 
Lactea from Phsenomena only, we must of course 
conclude it a vast ring of Stars, scattered pro- 
miscuously round the celestial regions in the di- 
rection of a perfect circle. 

But when we consider the explanic position of 
many other Stars, all of the same nature, and not 
less numerous, together forming the great sphere 
of Heaven, we generally find ourselves quite at 
a loss how to reconcile the two apparent classes; 
and I know none who have ever been successful 
enough to reduce them to any one general 
order. 

You'll say probably how shall we make this 
chaotic disposition of the primary luminaries 
agree with the secondary laws, and the just 
harmony observed in the third Creation, &.c. 
[The Moon, satellites of Saturn and Jupi- 
ter, &c.] 

The work now you see is undertaken, and 
chiefly at your own request, therefore I have a 
right to expect you'll be very indulgent to the 
Author, and pass over all his faults, and allow 
him free argument in pursuit of these important 
truths, which will in the end open perhaps a 
much wider field of contemplation to us, than at 
first could be supposed to be intended by the 
Genesis of Moses. 

That description of the beginning of nature is 
not without its beauty and nobleness, suitable to 
the dignity both of the Author and subject. But 
should we even in this knowing age of the world 
pretend to account for the original of things, as 
12 



90 LETTER ^f. 

Moses to support his believed divine legation, 
was obliged in some measure to do, we should 
soon be reduced to talk in the same stile, and 
perhaps with less probability than then at least 
appeared in his elegant account of the origin of 
the Universe, especially if we do but consider, 
that what he wrote, was only to the senses of a 
people who had not yet learnt to make use of 
their reason any other way, but from the ap- 
pearance of things, and upon a subject too sub- 
lime for vulgar capacities in any age, and had 
only been attempted in the deepest learning of 
Egypt, which, he though well acquainted with, 
the generality of them were totally strangers 
to. 

In the first place it must be granted, that the 
Stars being all of the same nature, are either 
all immoveable, or all fixed, that is all governed 
by one and the same principle. 

Now to suppose them all fixed, and dispersed 
in an endless disorder through the infinite ex- 
panse ,which has long been the opinion of many 
very able Astronomers amongt the ancients, and 
even now received by too many of the moderns, 
implies an inactivity in those vast and principal 
bodies, so much the reverse of what may be ex- 
pected, and what we daily observe through all 
the rest of their attendants, namely, their own 
respective satellites, that we cannot possibly 
upon any rational grounds, advance one single 
argument to support so much as a conjecture 
towards it, without betraying the greatest sim- 
plicity, and next to an afiirmation reduce the 
whole frame of nature, and all corporeal beings 
to a wild unmeaning chance, arising from an 
unnatural discord and confusion. 

For upon the principles of locality and mate- 



LETTER VI. 91 

riality, you having allowed me the use of my 
senses and reason, as absolutely necessary to- 
wards conceiving any idea of our present state, 
or of futurity: upon these principles I say, unless 
our faculties are useless, if there are no other 
bodies or beings in the Universe than what we 
see, and are now sensible of, we must now at the 
heiij;ht of this our present state, be as near per- 
fection as we can reasonably expect, and as such 
ourselves the supreme beings of all beings. To 
what end then do we form ideas of a succeeding 
life, where a more exalted state cannot be hoped 
for? 

How absurd and impious this is I leave to 
your own reason and reflection : this is the fatal 
rock upon which all weak heads and narrow 
minds are lost and split upon, consequently 
ought to be the most carefully avoided, not only 
as the nurse of atheism, but as the dreadful 
father of despair : " for, say they, these unhappy 
wretches, to be always the " same, is inconsist- 
ent with a change ; and to be less than what we 
are, *' any where hereafter, is full as difficult to 
conceive as to be more." Thus, unless we ad- 
mit of superior seats and much more glorious 
habitations than those we are sensible of, we 
strike at the very root of a fair flourishing tree 
of immortality, and must become Authors of our 
own despair. I have often wondered how think- 
ing men could possibly fall into so gross an er- 
ror, as that of a Spirit's annihilation; and I should 
be glad to ask one of those fruitless students, 
whether, upon the evidence of our present be- 
ing, it is not much more rational, to hope for a 
future, than to expect a Ne plus nllra upon no 
evidence at all. The affirmation is certainly 
much more natural to be conceived than the 



92 LETTER VI. 

negative. But if chance was the case, and 
that chance produced all these regular and won- 
drous works, tis to be wished at least, that 
chance might do the same again ; and if not 
chance, of course an eternal direction : but 
chance only can effect disorder, discord, and 
confusion ; ergo^ the visible harmony and beauty 
of the creation declare for a direction ; and this 
must of consequence, from its perfect nature, 
proceed from the wisdom and power of an eter- 
nal being, God of infinity^ the Author of all 
ideas: and if this primitive power produced us 
his creatures from nothing, nothing can be want- 
ing to revive our frames again; and if from some- 
thing, that something must remain to establish us 
in a future hfe. 

But to return, how absurd it is to suppose one 
part of the Creation regular, and the other irre- 
gular, or a visible circulating order of things, to 
be mixed with disorder, and circumscribing part 
of an endless confusion, is obvious to the weakest 
understanding, and consequently we may rea- 
sonably expect, that the Via Lactea^ which is a 
manifest circle amongst the Stars, conspicuous 
to every eye, will prove at last the whole to be 
together a vast and glorious regular production 
of beings, out of the wondrous will or fecundity 
of the eternal and infinite one self-sufficient 
cause; and that all its irregularities are only 
such as naturally arise from our excentric view : 
to demonstrate which absolutely and incontesti- 
bly, we shall only want this one Postulata^ to 
be granted, viz. : that all the Stars are^ or may 
be in motion: this, if one may be allowed to 
judge of the whole by the simiUtude and govern- 
ment of its parts, I am persuaded you will think 
a very reasonable assumption ; but that you may 



LETTER VI. 93 

imbibe a good opinion of this assumption, and 
entirely come into this much better to be Avished 
hypothesis, I would have you consult these fol- 
low^ing arguments. 

First, it is allowed, as I have endeavoured to 
show, by all modern Philosophers, that the San 
and Stars are all of the same or like nature ; 
consequently, that the Stars are all Suns, and 
that the Sun himself is a Star. 

PLATE XVII. 

Represents a kind of perspective view of the 
visible creation, wherein A represents the sys- 
tem of our Sun, B, that supposed round Syrius, 
and C, the region about RigeL The rest is a 
promiscuous disposition of all the variety of other 
systems within our finite vision, as they are sup- 
posed to be posited behind one another, in the 
infinite space, and round every visible Star, 
That round every Star then v/e may justly con- 
jecture a similar system of bodies, governed by 
the same laws and principles with this our solar 
one, though to us at the Earth for very good 
reasons invisible. [Anaximenes believed the 
Stars to be of a firy nature ; and that there 
were certain terrestrial bodies that are not seen 
by us, carried together round them. Stob. 
EcL Fhys, cap. 25. Fythagoras affirmed, that 
every Star is a world, containing Earth, Air, 
iEther.] Secondly, 

The Sun is also observed to have a motion 
round his own axis in about twenty- five days. 
Now, since all the other [Suhirn, Jupiter, 
Mars, Venus, the Earth, Moon, and Mercury,^ 
Planets which move in orbits round him, and 
are within our observation, are found to have a 



94 LETTER VI. 

like rotation round their axis, may we not as 
reasonably imagine, that the power which was 
able to give the Sun a motion round his axis, 
could and would at the same time, with adequate 
ease, give him also an orbitular one ? and why 
not, since no progressive mutability can either 
take from, or disturb the boundless property of 
an infinity ; and besides, seeing to imagine him 
at rest, is to impose such an unnatural stagnation 
upon the eternal faculty, quite repugnant to that 
imparable power which we suppose stands in 
need of either sleep nor rest ? 

'Tis true, the Sun may be said to be the Go- 
vernor of all those bodies round him ; but how? 
no otherwise than he himself may be governed 
by a superior agent, or a still more active force; 
and methinks it is not a little absurd to suppose 
he is not, since we have discovered by undoubt- 
ed observations, that the same gravitating power 
is common to all ; and that the Stars themselves 
are subject to no other direction than that which 
moves the whole machine of nature. 

Thirdly, from many observations of the polar 
points, and the obliquity of the Earth's equator 
to the plane of her solar orbit compared to- 
gether, the Sun is very justly suspected to have 
changed his sidereal situation ; and this must 
arise from a change in the position of the 
Earth's diurnal axis, or from a removal of the 
Sun himself, out of the primitive plane of the 
Orhis Magnus, I believe you are so much of 
a mathematician, as to know that if either of 
these facts be allowed, the consequence I want 
will follow. I shall not therefore here enter into 
any farther dispute about it; but I think it will 
be necessary to submit some observations to 
your consideration, that may convince you that 



LETTER VI, 



95 



there is a motion somewhere to be thus disco- 
vered, and w^hether in the San, or in the Stars, 
or in both, I leave to your own determination, 
but to assist your imagination, I refer you to. 

PLATE XVm. 

The Globe S is here supposed to represent 
the Sun, having changed its situation by a local 
motion from A to C, and B represents the Globe 
the Earth in a permanent position, with its prin- 
cipal points and circles, respecting the primi- 
tive plane A, B, K. Now in consequence of 
the angle of variation. A, B, C, it evidently ap- 
pears that a new ecliptic plane, will be produced 
as C, B, and also a variation in the greatest de- 
clination of the Sun, North and South from the 
line of the Equator D, L. Hence, as in this 
figure, the obliquity of the Poles P, N, and G, 
F, will naturally decrease, and is shewn in quan- 
tity by the line of aberration H, I. 

Here follows a table of the change observed 
in the obliquity of the ecliptic by Astronomers 
of different ages. 

A Table of the Obliquity of the Ecliptic. 

Ante Christi ° 

124 Arato 

HlPARCHUS 

127 Eratosthenes 

Ano Dom, 

140 Ptolomy 

749 Abategnius 
1070 Airahel 
1140 Alomean 



24 00 
23 51 ^ 
23 51 ^ 


23 51 i 
23 35 i 
23 34 
23 33 



98 



f 


LKTTER VI* 




1300 


Profatiograd 


23 32 


1458 


PURBACCHIO 


- 23 29 i 


1490 


Regiomontanus 


- 23 30 


1500 


Copernicus 


- 23 28 h 


1592 


Tycho Brahe 


23 21 i 


1656 


Cassini 


- 23 29 i 



Now surely if we consider this continual de- 
crease of the sun's declination, which can pro- 
ceed from no other cause than that of his hav- 
ing moved out of the primitive plane; we need 
make no great difficulty thus far to think our 
conjectures not irrational. 

The following is a citation from Dr. Edmund 
Halley^ Astronomer-Royal. See Philosophical 
Transactions^ No. 355. p. 736. 

" But while I was upon this enquiry {of the 
obliquity of the ecliptic) I was surprised to 
find the latitudes of three of the principal Stars 
in the Heavens, directly to contradict the sup^ 
posed greater obliquity of the ecliptic, which 
seems confirmed by the latitudes of most of the 
rest ; they being set down in the old catalogues, 
as if the plane of the Earth's orbit had changed 
its situation amongst the fixed Stars, about 20? 
since the time of Hipparchus, particularly all 
the Stars in Gemini are put down, those to the 
Northward of the echptic, with so much less 
latitude than we find, and those to the South- 
ward, with so much more southerly latitude; 
and yet the three Stars Palilicium^ Sirius^and 
Arcturus, do contradict this rule : for by it, 
PaUlicium, being in the days of Hipparchus^ 
in about 10 gr. of Taurus, ought to be about 
15' more southerly than at present, and Sirius 
being then in about 15 gr. of Gemini, ought to 
be 20; more southerly than now; yet Ptolomy 



LETTER VI. 9t 

places the first 20', and the other 22' more 
northerly in latitude than we now jBnd them : 
nor are these the errors of transcribers, bat are 
proved to be right by the declination of them 
set down by Ptolomy^ as observed by Timo^ 
charts, HipparcJms, and himself; which shew, 
that these latitudes are the same as those Au* 
thors intended. As to Arclurus^he is too near the 
equinoctial colure, to argue from him concern- 
ing the change of the obliquity of the ecliptic; 
but Ptolomy gives him 33' more north latitude 
than he is now found to have ; and that greater 
latitude is likewise confirmed by the declina'* 
tions delivered by the above said observations : 
so then these three Stars are found to be above 
half a degree more southerly at this time than 
the ancients reckoned them. When, on the 
contrary, at the same time, the bright shoulder 
of Orion, has, in Ptolomy almost a degree 
more southerly latitude than at present, what 
shall we say then ? It is scarce to be beHeved, 
that the ancients could be deceived in so plain a 
matter, three observers confirming each other. 
Again, these Stars, being the most conspicuous 
in Heaven, are in all probability the nearest to 
the Earth ; and if they have any particular mo- 
tion of their own, it is most likely to be perceiv- 
ed in them, which in so long a time as eighteen 
hundred years, may shew itself by the alteration 
of their places, though it be entirely impercept- 
ible in the space of one single century of years^ 
yet, as to Syrius, it may be observed, that Ty- 
cho Brahe makes him 2 min. more northerly 
than we now find him ; whereas he ought to be 
above as much more southerly from his ecliptic 
(whose obliquity he makes 2.' i greater thaft we 
esteem it at present) differing in tlie whole 4' i» 

13 



S8 LETTER VU 

One half of this difference may perhaps he 
excused, if refraction was not allowed in this 
case by Tycho ; yet 2 min, in such a Star as 
Syrius, is somewhat too much for him to be 
mistaken in. 

But a more evident proof of this change is 
drawn from the observation of the application 
of the Moon to Palilicium, An. Chris, 50^. 
Mar, 11. when in the beginning of the night, the 
Moon was seen to follow that Star very near, 
and seemed to have eclipsed it, Epehalle gar 
o aster to para ten dichotomian merei tes kyr- 
tys peripheias tou pepliotismenou merous, in 
the original Greek, meaning in English — The 
Star was opposite the part through which was 
cut in two parts the illuminated limb of the 
Moon — Or in Latin Stella apposita erat parti 
per quam hisecahatur limhus Lainw illuniina' 
tus, as Bullialdus, to whom we are beholden 
for this ancient observation, has translated it. 
Now, from the undoubted principles of Astrono- 
my, this could never be true at Athens^ or near 
it, unless the latitude of Palilicium was much 
less than we at this time find it. [Vide Bull- 
aldi Astr. Philolaiea, p. 172.] 

The motion of Arcturus seems further con- 
firmed, from the observations of Tycho^ Heveli- 
us and Flamstead; for Hevelius sets down the 
distance of that Star from Lyra 4' greater than 
Tkfclio, had observed it seventy two years before 
him, and Flumstead twenty-two years after 
measured the distance betwixt the same two 
Stars, still 3' greater than Hevelius found it; 
so that if Lyra had stood still all that while, 
there was an appearance of Arcturus having 
gone 1' out of his place in the space of an hun- 
dred yearsi See Dr. Loughs Astronomy, p. 274. 



i^ETTER VI. 99 

These are the nearest and greatest of the fix- 
ed Stars, the motion of the others not having 
been observed, or being at too great a distance, 
are either imperceptible, or have not been 
taken notice of. 

It is further to be observed, in confirmation 
of the motion of one of these Stars, that /♦Tarn- 
stead found the distance of Arcturus, from the 
head of Hercidus 3' greater than it is set down 
by the Prince of Hesse ; and that his distance 
from the Lion'^s Tail was a httle decreased 
with 5' 5 less latitude than Tycho had observed. 
Hence, to make these observations agree, one 
or both of them must have moved together 
equal to 7'. This change of place, which is 
quite contrary to all known causes proceeding 
from the Earth, must therefore be occasioned 
either by the motion of the Sun, or by a partic- 
ular motion of their own ; but if, amongst them- 
selves, they must all move, and if all be in mo- 
tion, the Sun must also move. 

If these observations, delivered down to vm 
by very able Astronomers be either true or near 
it, as great allowances have been made for tha 
ignorance of the ages in which they were taken, 
and the inaccuracy of the instruments, we may 
naturally conclude, that these Stars must have 
a motion ; and if they move, as has been before 
observed, the Sun must also ; hence he cannot 
now be in the original Plane of the Earth's an- 
nual direction, or at least in the same identical 
place he was at first possessed of: and if so, 
the Stars must also have the like motion, though 
in different directions, and all may thus be gov- 
erned by the same impulsive power. 

To illustrate this primitive motion of the 
Stars, and at the same time to show that the 
variety which appears in the quantity of motion 
can be n^ objection to it. 



wo LETTER VI. 

See PLATE XVIII. Fig. 2. 

Where A represents the eye of the observer, 
and B, E, F, H, various systems, moving in dif- 
ferent directions through the mundane space, 
it is evident that the sphere B, having moved 
from C, and that of E, not having appeared to 
move at all, there must be a sensible change in 
the new position of these two systems to one 
another, and so of the rest ; and though the ap- 
parent motion of H, be much more than that of 
F, from the point A, yet from C, they will ap- 
pear less different, and from B, they v> ill appear 
nearly equal. And farther, as the direction from 
H, is in the line I, H, and that of F, in the line 
K, G, those two systems will appear to approxi- 
mate, and the magnitude of the Star in the first 
will be increased, and the latter diminished. 
Thus, many of the Stars in the oldest catalogues, 
which were said to be of the second magnitude, 
are now become of the first, and several of the 
first are now judged to be of the second, &c. 

But as this apparent motion of the Stars at 
the Earth, must, fi'om its nature, be very small, 
so as scarce to be discovered in some of them 
in less than an age, with any instrument by the 
nicest observer, I judge it will be extremely 
proper in this place to propose some method, 
by which, in process of time, the truth of the 
theory may be ascertained. The way I think 
most likely to succeed is this. 

PLATE XIX. 

Is a plan of the principal Stars that form the 
Pleiades, correctly taken by a combination of 
triangles, as in the figure, from whence it will 
naturally tbllow, all the whole form being corn- 



LETTER VI. 101 

prehended in much less than one degree, that 
the most minute local motion in any one of those 
Stars in a very few years, will be made sensible 
to an eye at the Earth. For instance, if any of 
the Stars that form the letter A, or T, within 
the term of ten or twenty years, be found in the 
least to deviate from the lines of their present 
portion and direction, it will be evident be- 
yond a contradiction, that they have a motion 
amongst themselves, and since at such a dis- 
tance they cannot possibly be effected by the 
Earth, it must be a motion of their own; and 
thus if any one can be proved, to change in sit- 
uation, with regard to the rest, we can have no 
new difficulty in concluding that they all may 
do the same. 

Thus if any of the regular triangles M B Z, 
Z PH, A Z M, Y A G or P O I, &c. in due time 
be carefully noted, we may venture to say with 
great safety, that the thousandth part of a de- 
gree will be plainly discovered. 

PLATE XX. 

Is a true plane and combination of the prin- 
cipal Stars that form the Persides, in which 
other observations may be made in a different 
part of the Heavens, and perhaps with an op- 
portunity of being still more exact, the areas of 
these triangles, particularly that of OIK, and 
those of r and d^ being much less than the for- 
mer, where the least alteration possibly must 
render them sensibly distorted. But here it 
must be considered, that the real motion of the 
Stars, as well as their apparent, may be, and in 
all likelihood, is extremely slow, for the most 
minute, visible, local motion will answer all the 



102 LETTER VI. 

purposes we know in nature, and the greatest 
seems to be that of the projectile, or centrifu- 
gal force, which not only preserves them in 
their orbits, but prevents them from rushing all 
together, by the common universal law of grav- 
ity, which otherwise, as a finite distribution of 
either regular or irregular bodies, they must at 
length do by necessity. 

I must now inform you, that the above obser- 
vation were completed in the Autumn Season, 
1747, and were taken by myself; the letters A, 
T, in Plate XIX, and the W in the XXth, as 
you may see, having a very near resemblance, 
or similitude, to the order these Stars are found 
to be in, together with the Greek alphabet, I 
judged necessary, by way of Asterism and No- 
menclatura^ in case such should be wanted^ as 
Data in future discoveries. 

I come now to the principal point in question 
which is to find a regular disposition of the 
Stars amongst themselves, which will naturally 
solve both their general and particular phseno- 
mena, especially the Nebula and Milky Way, 

lam now^i^c. 



LETTER VII. 103 



LETTER VII. 

The Hypothesis^ or Theory^ fully explained 
and demonstrated^ proving the sidereal 
Creation to he finite. 

Sir, 

I know you are an enemy to all sorts of 
schemes where they are not absolutely necessa- 
ry, and may possibly be avoided; and for that 
reason I have purposely omitted geometrical 
figures, and other representations in this work, 
which might have been inserted and in some 
places, especially here, I might have introduced 
diagrams, perhaps more explicit than words ; but 
as you have frequently observed, they are only 
of use to the few learned, and contribute more 
to the taking away the little ideas and know- 
ledge the more ignorant many may be endued 
with, by a prejudicial impression of imperfect 
images, rather than the adding any new light 
to their understanding, I have purposely avoid- 
ed, as much as possible, both here and every 
where, all such complex diagrams as might be 
in danger of betraying any the least such con- 
scious diffidence in you arising from the want 
of a proper Preeognita in the sciences. 

This imperfection, much to be lamented, as 
greatly to the disadvantage of all mathematical 
reasoning, I would willingly always prevent, in 
my readers, and to chuse in my friend ; I shall 



104 LETTER VII. 

therefore content myself with referring you to ^ 
few orbicular figures, concave and convex, as 
may best suggest to your fancy the simplest way, 
a just idea of the hypothesis I have framed, and 
naturally enough I hope, render my theory so in- 
telligible, as to help you sufficiently to conceive 
the solution aimed at, of the important problem 
I have attempted. 

As I have said before, we cannot long observe 
the beauteous parts of the visible creation, not 
only of this world on which we live, but also the 
myriads of bright bodies round us, with any at- 
tention, without being convinced, that a power 
supreme, and of a nature unknown to us, pre- 
sides in, and governs it. 

The course and frame of this vast bulk, display 
A reason and fix'd law, which all obey, 

Sher. Manilius. 

And notwithstanding the many wonderful 
productions of nature in this our known habita- 
tion, yet the Earth, when compared with other 
bodies of our own system, seems far from being 
the most considerable in it ; and it appears not 
only very possible, but highly probable, from 
what has been said, and from what we can far- 
ther demonstrate, that there is as great a mul- 
tiplicity of worlds, variously dispersed in differ- 
ent parts of the universe, as there are variegat- 
ed objects in this we live upon. Now, as we 
have no reason to suppose, that the nature of 
our Sun is different from that of the rest of the 
Stars ; and since we can no way prove him su- 
perior even to the least of those surprising bo- 
dies, how can we, with any show of reason, 
imagine him to be the general centre of the 



LETTER VII. 108 

■whole, L e, of the visible creation, and seated in 
the centre of the mundane space ? This, in my 
humble opinion, is too weak even for conjecture, 
their apparent distribution, and [See the Zodia- 
cal Constellations, you'll find that in some signs 
there are several Stars of the first, second, and 
third magnitude, and in many others none of 
these at all.] irregular order argue so much 
against it. 

The Earth indeed has long possessed the 
chief seat of our system, and peaceably reigned 
there, as in the centre of the universe for many 
ages past ; but it was human ignorance, and not 
divine wisdom, that placed it there ; some few 
indeed from the beginning have disputed its 
right to it, as judging it no way worthy of such 
high eminence. Time at length has discovered 
the truth to every body, and now it is justly dis- 
placed by the united consent of all its inhabi- 
tants, and instead of being thought the most 
majestic of all nature's lower works, now rather 
disgraces the creation, so much it is reduced in 
its present state from what it had reason to ex- 
pect in the former. 

Now it is no longer the terrestrial globe in 
the Universe, but is proved to be one of the least 
planets of the solar system, and surprisingly in- 
ferior to some of its fellow worlds. The Sun, 
or rather the System, has almost as long usurp- 
ed the centre of infinity, with as little pretence 
to such preeminence ; but now, thanks to the 
sciences, the scene begins to open to us on all 
sides, and truths scarce to have been dreamt of^ 
before persons of observation had proved them 
possible, invade our senses with a subject too 
deep for the human understanding, and where 
our very reason is lost in infinite wonders. How 

14 



106 tETTER Til. 

ought this to humble every mind susseptible of 
reason! 

In this place, I believe, you vs^ill pardon a di- 
gression ; which, in ansvi^er to part of your last 
letter, I judge will not be very impertinent, 
though perhaps just here I cannot so well justi- 
fy it. 

Your late conversation with our friend Mr, 
* * *, I am persuaded,must have been very en- 
tertaining ; but I cannot help thinking his re- 
flections upon the wonders of nature and the 
wisdom of providence, though I must allow 
them all to be very just and curious, instead of 
elevating the mind to the pitch he would have 
it, rather as considered above, depress it below 
the proper, nay I might say necessary, standard 
of human ideas. 

This, probably, you'll say is an odd turn, and 
may want some explanation, since every object 
in the chain of nature, must of force be grant- 
ed, a subject worthy of our speculations, being 
altogether made, as in the maximum of wisdom: 
But what I mean is this, since nothing is more 
natural for beings in every state in search after 
their own advantages, and the enlargement of 
their ideas,to look upward, surely it may be pre- 
sumed, that time may be mispent, if not lost in 
inspecting too narrowly things so little benefi- 
cial in states below us ; as Mr. Pope says, 

Why has not man a microscopic eye ? 
For this plain reason, man is not a fly. 
Say what the use, where finer opticks given, 
To inspect a mite, not comprehend the heaven. 

Essay on Man, 

Amusement alone can never be supposed to 



LETTER VII, 107 

be the sole end of human life,where even true 
happiness is a thing v^e rather taste than enjoy. 
The mind we find capable of much more ration- 
al pleasure than can possibly fall within the 
reach of human power, either to promise or pro- 
cure it ; but then this very defect in our present 
state of existence affords us no less than a 
moral assurance, that some where in a future, 
we may, if we please, be entitled to the very 
Plenum of all enjoyments. 

The peculiar business then of the human mind 
naturally precedes its amusements, as evidently 
ordained to soar above all the inferior beings of 
this world; and however our natures may, 
through indolence, or through ignorance, de- 
generate, that of the man can never be supposed 
to sink into the mole. 

The properest way then surely for men to pre- 
serve their preeminence over the brute creation, 
is to make use of that reason and reflection, 
which so manifestly distinguishes their natural 
superiority. A right application of which, must 
of course then direct us to a forward, rather 
than a backward search in the vast visible chain 
of our existence, which clearly connects all be- 
ings and states as under the direction of one su- 
preme agent. 

This is all I would have understood by the 
foregoing position, which, in one word, implies 
no more than that the sublime philosophy ought 
in all reason to be preferred to the minute ; but 
I hope you will not infer from this my seeming 
partiality for the celestial sciences, that I mean 
to insinuate, that the study of terrestrial phy- 
sics is not a rational amusement. 

Mr. *** you say, seems to lament the taste of 
mankind in general much in the same degree as 



108 LETTER VII. 

you do his I readly grant you ; a man who can 
talk so well upon an ant, might make a more 
entertaining discourse upon the eagle ; but I beg 
his pardon, and though we are all too ready, and 
most apt to condemn all such pleasures as vain 
or trifling, which we have no share in, or taste 
for ourselves ; yet I don't think it follows, that 
those ingenious labours of his are useless. The 
pleasures arising from natural philosophy are 
all undoubtedly great ones, whether we consider 
nature in her highest, or in her lowest capacity; 
the beauties of the creation are every day va- 
ried to us below, as much they are every night 
above, and in both cases, through every object, 
the Creator shines so manifest, that we may 
justly consider him every where smiling full in 
the face of all his creatures, commanding as it 
were an awful reverence, and respect due, 
not only to his omnipotency, but also to his in- 
finite goodness and endless indulgencies. This 
is the only return our gratitude can make for 
all those blessings he daily bestows upon us, and 
to this great Author of her laws, nature herself 
cries aloud through myriads of various objects, 
and after her own expressive and peculiar 
manner, seems to command us with an attrac- 
tive grace, to observe her sovereign, and ad- 
mire his wisdom. The majesty, power, and 
dominion of God is best displayed in the exter- 
nal direction of things, his wisdom and visible 
agency in the internal : hence, by proper ob- 
jects, selected from both-, attended with just re- 
flections, we may certainly raise our ideas al- 
most to the pitch of immortals ; but how far the 
human imagination may possible go, or how 
much minds like ours may be improved, is a 
question not easily determined ; but as natural 



LETTER VII. 109 

knowledge evidently increases daily, astrono- 
mical enquiries are the most capable of opening 
our minds, and enlarging our conception, of 
consequence they must be most worthy our at^ 
tention of all other studies. But of this I have 
said enough, and think it is now more than time 
to attempt the remaining part of my theory. 

When w^e reflect upon the various aspects, 
and perpetual changes of the planets, both with 
regard to their [Not to mention their several 
conjunctions and apulces to fixed Stars, &.c. see 
the state of the heavens in 1662, December the 
first, when all the known planets were in one 
sign of the zodiac, viz, Sagittarius.'] heliocen- 
tric and geocentric motion, we may readily im- 
agine, that nothing but a like excentric position 
of the Stars could any way produce such an 
apparently promiscuous difference in such other- 
wise regular bodies. And that in like manner, 
as the planets would, if viewed from the Sun, 
there may be one place in the Universe to w hich 
their order and primary motions must appear 
most regular and most beautiful. Such a point, 
I may presume, is not unnatural to be supposed, 
although hitherto we have not been able to pro- 
duce any absolute proof of it. See Plate XXV. 

This is the great order of nature which I 
shall now endeavor to prove and thereby solve 
the Phsenomena of the Via Laetea ; and in or- 
der thereto, I want nothing to be granted but 
w^hat may easily be allowed, namely that the 
Milky Waif is formed of an infinite number of 
small Stars. 

Let us imagine a vast infinite gulph, or m.edi- 
um, every v/ay extended like a plane, and in- 
closed between two surfaces, nearly even on 
both sides, but of such a depth or thickness as 



110 LETTER VII. 

to occupy a space equal to the double radius, 
or diameter of the visible creation, that is to 
take in one of the smallest Stars each way, from 
the middle station, perpendicular to the plane's 
direction, and, as near as possible, according to 
our idea of their true distance. 

But to bring this image a little lower, and as 
near as possible level to every capacity, I mean 
such as cannot conceive this kind of continued 
Zodiac, let us suppose the whole frame of na- 
ture in the form of an artificial horizon of a 
globe, I do not mean to affirm that it really is so 
in fact, but only state the question thus to help 
your imagination to conceive more aptly what I 
would explain. Plate XXIII. will then repre- 
sent a just section of it. Now in this space let 
us imagine all the Stars scattered promiscuous- 
ly, but at such an adjusted distance from one 
another, as to fill up the whole medium with a 
kind of regular irregularity of objects. And 
next let us consider what the consequence would 
be to an eye situated near the centre point, or 
any where about the middle plane, as at the 
point A. Is it not, think you, very evident, that 
the Stars would there appear promiscuously dis- 
persed on each side, and more and more in- 
clining to disorder, as the observer would ad- 
vance his station towards either surface, and 
nearer to B or C, but in a direction of the gene- 
ral plane towards H or D, by the continual ap- 
proximation of the visual rays, crowding togeth- 
er as at II betwixt the limits D and G, they 
must infallibly terminate in the utmost confu- 
sion. If your optics fails you before you arrive 
at these external regions, only imagine how in- 
finitely greater the number of stars would be in 
those remote parts, arising thus from their con- 



LETTER VII. Ill 

tinual crowding behind one another, as all other 
objects do towards the horizon point of their 
perspective, which ends but with infinity: thus, 
ail their rays at last so near uniting, must meet- 
ing in the eye appear, as almost in contact, 
and form a perfect zone of light; this I take to 
be the real case, and the true nature of our 
Milky Way, and all the irregularity we observe 
in it at the Earth, I judge to be entirely owing 
to our Sun's position in this great firmament, 
and may easily be solved by his excentricity, 
and the diversity of motion that may naturally 
be conceived amongst the stars themselves, 
which may here and there, in different parts of 
the Heavens, occasion a cloudy knot of stars as 
perhaps at E. 

But now to apply this hypothesis to our 
present purpose, and reconcile it to our ideas of 
a circular creation, and the known laws of orbi- 
cular motion, so as to make the beauty and har- 
mony of the whole consistent with the visible 
order of its parts, our reason must now have re- 
course to the analogy of things. It being once 
agreed, that the Stars are in motion, which, as 
I have endeavored in my last letter to shew is 
not far from an undeniable truth, we must next 
consider in what manner they move. First then, 
to suppose them to move in right lines, you 
know is contrary to all the laws and principles 
we at present know of; and since there arc but 
two ways that they can possibly move in any 
natural order, that is, either in right lines, or in 
curves, this being one, it must of course be the 
other, i, e. in an orbit ; and consequently, were 
we able to view them from their middle position 
as from the eye seated in the centre of Plate 
XXV. we might expect to find them separately 



112 LETTER VII. 

moving in all manner of directions round a gen- 
eral centre, such as is there represented. It 
only now remains to shew how a number of Stars, 
so disposed in a circular manner round any 
given centre, may solve the Phsenomena before 
us. There are but two ways possible to be pro- 
posed by which it can be done, and one of which 
I think is highly probable ; but which of the two 
will meet your approbation, I shall not venture 
to determine, only here enclosed I intend to send 
you both. The first is in the manner I have 
above described, «. e. all moving the same way, 
and not much deviating from the same plane, 
as the planets in their heliocentric motion do 
round the solar body. In this case the primary 
secondary, and tertiary constituent orbits, &.c. 
framing the hypothesis, are represented in 
Plate XXII, and the consequence of such a 
theory arising from such an universal law of 
motion in Plate XXIII. where B, D denotes the 
local motion of the Sun in the true Orhis Mag- 
nus^ and E, C that of the Earth in her proper 
secondary orbit, which of course is supposed, as 
is shewn in the figuvQ to change its sidereal po- 
sitions, in the same manner as the Moon does 
round the Earth, and consequently will occasion 
a kind of procession, or annual variation in the 
place of the Sun, not unlike that of the equi- 
noxes, or motion of all the Stars together, from 
west to east round the ecliptic poles, and proba- 
bly may in some degree be the occasion of it. 
This angle is represented, but much magnified, 
by the lines F, C, G, and the unnaturalness, or 
absurdity of a right line I, H. 

The second method of solving this pheenom- 
enon, is by a spherical order of the Stars, all 
moving with different direction round one com- 



LETTER VII. 113 

mon centre, as the planets and comets together 
do round the Sun, but in a kind of shell, or con- 
cave orb. The former is easily conceived, from 
what has been already said, and the latter is as 
easy to be understood, if you have any idea of 
the Segment of a globe which the adjacent 
fi2;ures, will, I hope, assist you to. The doctrine 
of these motions will perhaps be made very ob- 
vious to you, by inspecting the following plates. 

PLATE XXIV. 

Is a representation of the convexity, if I may 
call it so of the entire creation, as a universal co- 
alition of all the Stars conspherred round one 
general centre, and as all governed by one and 
the same law. 

PLATE XXV. 

Is a central section of the same, with the eye 
of Providence seated in the centre, as in the vir- 
tual agent of creation. 

PLATE XXVL 

Represents a creation of a double construc- 
tion, where a superior order of bodies C, may 
be imagined to be circumscribed by the former 
one A, as possessing a more eminent seat, and 
nearer the supreme presence, and consequent- 
ly of a more perfect nature. Lastly, 

PLATE XXVII. 

Represents such a section, and segments of 
the same, as I hope will give you a perfect idea 
of what I mean by such a theory. 
15 



114 LETTER riU 

Fig, 1. Is a corresponding section of the part 
at A, in Fig. 2 whose versed sine is equal to 
half the thickness of the starry vortice A C, or 
B A. Now I say, by supposing the thickness of 
this shell, 1. you may imagine the middle semi- 
chord A D, or A E, to be nearly 6; and conse- 
quently thus in a like regular distribution of the 
Stars, there must of course be at least three 
times as many to be seen in the direction of the 
sine, or semi-chord A E, itself, than in that of 
the semi-versed sine A C, or where near the 
direction of the radius of the space G. Q. E. D. 

But we are not confined by this theory to this 
form only, there may be various systems of 
Stars, as well as of planets, and differing proba- 
bly as much in their order and distribution as 
the zones of Jupiter do from the rings of Su' 
turn, it is not at all necessary, that every col- 
lective body of Stars should move in the same 
direction, or after the same model of motion, 
but may as reasonably be supposed as much to 
vary, as we find our planets and comets do. 

Hence we may imagine some creations of 
Stars may move in the direction of perfect 
spheres, all variously inclined, direct and retro- 
grade ; others again, as the primary planets do, 
in a general zone or zodiac, or more properly 
in the manner of Saturn's rings, nay, perhaps 
ring within ring, to a third or fourtJh order as 
shewn in Plate XXVIII, nothing being more 
evident, than that if all the Stars we see moved 
in one vast ring, like those of Saturn round any 
central body, or point, the general phsenomena 
of our Stars would be solved by it ; see Plate 
XXIX. Fig. 1. and 2. the one representing a 
full plane of these motions, the other a profile of 
them, and a visible creation at B and C, the 



LETTER VII. 115 

central body A, being supposed as incognitum^ 
without the finite view; not only the phsenom- 
ena of the Milky Way may be thus accounted 
for, but also all the cloudy spots, and irregular 
distribution of them ; and I cannot help being 
of opinion, that could we view Saturn through a 
telescope capable of it, we should find his rings 
no other than an infinite number of lesser planets, 
inferior to those we call his satellites : what in- 
clines me to believe it, is this, this ring, or col- 
lection of small bodies, appears to be sometimes 
very excentric, that is, more distant from Sa- 
turn's body on one side than on the other, and 
as visibly leaving a larger space between the bo- 
dy and the ring; which would hardly be the case, 
if the ring, or rings, were connected, or solid, 
since we have good reason to suppose, it would 
be equally attracted on all sides by the body of 
Saturn^ and by that means preserve every where 
an equal distance from him ; but if they are 
really little planets, it is clearly demonstrable 
from our own in like cases, that there may be 
frequently more of them on one side, than on 
the other, and but very rarely, if ever, an equal 
distribution of them all round the Saturnian 
globe. 

How much a confirmation of this is to be 
wished, your own Curiosity may make you 
judge, and here I leave it for the opticians to 
determine. I shall content myself with observ- 
ing that nature never leaves us without a sufii- 
cient guide to conduct us through all the neces- 
sary paths of knowledge ; and it is far from ab- 
surd to suppose Providence may have every 
where throughout the whole universe, inter- 
spersed modules of every creation, as our di- 
vines tell us, man is the image of God himself. 



116 LETTER VIi; 

Thus, sir, you have had my full opinion, with- 
out the least reserve, concerning the visible cre- 
ation, considered as part of the finite universe; 
how far I have succeeded in my designed solu- 
tion of the Via Lactea, upon which the theory 
of the whole is formed, is a thing that will hardly 
be known in the present century, as in all proba- 
bility it may require some ages of observation to 
discover the truth of it. 

It remains that I should now give you some 
idea of time and space ; but this will afford 
matter sufficient for onother letter. 

lam now^i^c. 



LETTER VIII. 

Of time and space, with regard to the known 
objects of immensity and duration. 

Sir, 

The opportunity you gave me in your last 
visit, of shewing you my general scheme of the 
Universe, I find, besides the pleasure it then 
gave, is now attended with many useful ad- 
vantages, 

I now not only hope to be better understood 
for the future, but have reason to expect what I 
now write will merit your attention more, and 
have some title to your approbation. The ideas 
I have framed of time and space, will now more 
gradually fill your imagination both with wonder 
and delight, before they can arise so high as to 



LETTER VIII. 117 

be lost in an eternity and the infinity of space. 
And I am fully persuaded your farther inquiries 
into these vast properties of the Deity, will here 
be answered entirely to your satisfaction. You 
must allow me now to be in some measure a 
judge of what I think will please you most, from 
the observations you have made upon my gen- 
eral system, or otherwise you would have reason 
to think me perhaps too presuming : but I flat- 
ter myself the great difficulty is now over ; and 
what remains to be said, will also naturally fol- 
low from what has gone before, that this letter, 
I guess, will go near to furnish you with all the 
ideas you wish to form upon the subject. To 
what you have said of my having left out my 
own habitation in my scheme of the Universe, 
having travelled so far into infinity as both to 
loose sight of,and forget the Earth, I think I may 
justly answer as Aristotle did when Alexander 
looking over a map of the world, enquired of 
him for the city of Macedon ; 'tis said the philo- 
sopher told the prince, that the place he 
sought for was much too small to be there taken 
notice of, and was not without sufficient reason 
omitted. 

The system of the Sun compared but with a 
very minute part of the visible creation, takes 
up so small a portion of the known Universe, 
that in a very finite view of the immensity of 
space, I judged the seat of the Earth to be of 
very little consequence, could I have possibly 
represented it, as not only being one of the 
smallest objects in our regions, but in a manner 
infinitely less than even her ovvn annual orbit, 
and had nothing to do with my main design, 
which was to represent all our planetary worlds 
as one collective body, and begin my compara- 



118 LETTER Vin. 

tive scale of magnitude from the Sun only and 
his sphere of activity ; as the smallest object I 
could with any propriety pretend to express in 
such a plan. 

In some measure to convince you that I have 
committed no error in this, I will try by some 
less mathematical method than that of mere 
numbers, to imprint an idea in your mind of the 
true extent of the solar system, and the mag- 
nitude of all its moving bodies, by natural ob- 
jects most familliar to your senses. When 
we endeavour to form any idea of distance, mag- 
siitude, or duration, by numbers only, we so soon 
exceed the limits of conception, that this way 
we lind our faculties of reasoning as finite as our 
senses; and no doubt it is right it should be so, 
providence, as it were, having ordained that the 
first should only attend the last, in such an ade- 
quate degree to a determined distance; but 
what distance or degree of knowledge is destin- 
ed to human nature, none but the power that 
^ave it can tell. It is certain that beyond the 
third or fourth place of our nomenclator, we re- 
'ceive but very faint impressions of the thing ex- 
pressed, and can frame scarce any notion at all 
of either numbcT, distance, or magnitude, signi- 
fied beyond it : hence astronomers are fre- 
quently obliged to have recourse to mixed ideas 
and make things of different natures and pro- 
perties assist each other, to excite more ade- 
quate ideas of what they would have conceived, 
Thus to express immense distances and magni- 
tude, they frequently apply themselves to time 
and motion; and Vice Versa, to signify a long 
duration, they have often recourse to distance 
and matter, removing, in imagination, worlds 
of sand, grain after, grain, to some remote 
known region. 



LETTER Vin. 119' 

Hesiod, to express his idea of the distance 
from his highest Heaven to Earth, and from 
Earth to Hell, or Tartarus^ supposes an anvil 
to be let fall from one to the other, which he 
says in nine natural days would reach the Earth 
from Heaven, and in the same time would fall 
from the Earth to Hell. 

From the high Heaven a brazen anvil cast. 
Nine nights and days in rapid whirls would last, 
And reach the Earth the tenth whence strongly hurPd ; 
The same the passage to th' infernal world. 

CoOKE* 

Homer makes his Vulcan fall from Heaven 
to the island of Lemnos in much less time, not 
exceeding one full artificial day. 

Hur}*d headlong downward from th* etherial height 
Toss'd all the day in rapid circles round, 
Nor till the Sun descended touch'd the ground. 

Pope, 

Modern Astronomers have made use of the 
swiftest velocity of a cannon-ball as continued 
through the space they would so describe, and 
in this light, the distance to the Sun has been 
by many compared to twenty-five years motion 
of a cannon-ball, supposing it to travel at the 
rate of 100 fathoms in a moment, i, e, the Pulse 
of an Artery ; and that a journey so performed 
to one of the nearest fixed Stars, would take the 
same body at least 100,000 years before it could 
arrive there. But the method I have chosen to 
convey my ideas of the magnitude of the plane- 
tary bodies, and the extent of the visible crea- 
tion to you, I am willing to hope you will find 
still more familiar, comprehensive, and easy: 
and it only depends upon your remembrance of 



120 LETTER VIII. 

a very few known objects, and their neighbour- 
ing distances, which may be presumed you are 
or have been, very well acquainted with. You 
have not only very lately but very often been in 
London^ and must, I think, retain some idea of 
the dome of St. PauVs^ though. I own I ought 
not to be sorry if you should chance to have for- 
got it, provided it might prove a means of 
making your visits more frequent. The diameter 
of the dome of this church is 145 feet: now if 
you can imagine this to represent the surface of 
the Sun, a spherical body 18 inches diameter, 
will justly represent the Earth in like propor- 
tion ; and another of only five inches diameter, 
will represent the Moon. The truths of these 
proportions I have shewn in my Clavis deles-- 
tis ; and the reason why I have here fixed upon 
the dome of this church for my first object of 
comparison, will naturally appear from what 
follows. 

From the magnitude of the Earth on which 
we live, as from a known scale with respect to 
its parts compared with our own bodies, we 
naturally frame our first ideas of extent, and fix 
our rational of remoteness; by which we are 
sufficiently enabled to judge of all other sensible 
distances within one finite view. And hence by 
the undoubted principles of Geometry, having 
first given the measurement of the Earth in any 
known proportion with any other quantity most 
familiar to our senses, and the angle of appear- 
ance, or parallax, to any perceivable object we 
can easily find in homogenial parts its true dis- 
tance from the eye. And thus allowing from 
some small though unavoidable errors, that may 
possibly arise from the difficulties of observation, 
(especially small angles and minute quantities) 



LETTER VIII. 121 

we can always determine to a sufficient, and very 
frequently to a just exactness, the relative dis- 
tance of all visible bodies, remote or near, such 
as the Planets, Comets, and the Sun. 

In this manner Astronomers having pro- 
cured a comparative standard, reduced to some 
known measure, as English miles, leagues, semi- 
orbs or orbits, with all the force of analogical 
reasoning, clearly can demonstrate the place 
and distance of any object within the reach of 
observation, and judge of distances almost in- 
deffinite. 

Parallax is the changeable position of bo- 
dies to different situations of the eye. First 
having found the quantity of a degree (i. e, a 
60th part of the circumference) upon the Earth's 
surface, Aratosthenes discovered that the mag- 
nitude of the whoJe was easily known; and then 
from the Moon's horizontal parallax having giv- 
en the radius of the Earth, the distance of the 
Moon is soon determined -, next by the menstru- 
al parallax of the lunar orbit, the distance of 
the Sun is found; and by the elongation of the 
inferior planets, their mutual distance from each 
other; and, lastly, from the annual parallax of 
the Earth's orbit, all the other orbits of the su- 
perior planets are easily found, 

PLATE XXX. 

Will help you to very correct ideas of the 
real magnitude of the globe of the Earth, com- 
pared with the just extent of the Island of Great 
Britain^ which you will find with Ireland^ and 
the rest of the Islands, seated near the centre 
of the projection. This as a standard will ena- 
ble you to judge of all other distances more per- 
16 



122 LETTER VIII. 

fectly ; and first I shall consider that of the Sun. 

The Sun is found to be mean distant from the 
Earth nearly 81 millions of miles, or 6877, 5 di- 
ameters of the Earth; and Saturn^ the remotest 
planet from him is at his greatest distance from 
us 858 milhon of miles: yet these distances are 
but the beginning of space, and only serve to 
open our ideas for farther search. 

The great Comet of 1680, as I have some- 
where said before, w^as found to move in so vast 
an excentric orbit, that in its aphelion point it 
would be 14,4 times as far from the Sun, as the 
orbit of Saturn^ and hence at least eleven thou- 
sand and two hundred millions of miles from us. 
Now since the wise Creator hath so disposed 
all the independent parts of the creation, such 
as the several systems of primary and seconda- 
ry planets, &c. at so great a distance from each 
other, that the laws of any one in no wise shall 
interfere, disturb, or interrupt the principles of 
another ; this Comet, which we can easily prove 
belonged to our own Sun, we may well imagine 
came not near any other; and though at that 
vast distance from the solar body, yet still there 
must have remained a space sufficient to divide 
or separate the sensible activity of neighbouring 
systems, that they may not rush upon each other. 
Hence we may reasonably suppose, that the 
nearest Star can be no nearer than a triple ra- 
dius of its active sphere ; and provided they are 
all in regular order, and much of the same mag- 
nitude v>^ith one another (which no arguments 
can possibly contradict) this radius we may just- 
ly make 2000 times the distance of our Earth. 
For admitting the utmost limits of the Sun's at- 
traction to exceed this sphere of the Comets, as 
far as the sphere of the Comets exceeds that of 



LETTER VIII. 123 

the planets, which is nearly 14,4 times, the radi- 
us of the solar system will be extended every 
way 200 radius's of the orbit of Saturn^ and 
consequently the distance from Star to Star 
will not be less than 6000 times the radius of our 
Orhis Magnus^ and consequently upwards of 
480,000,000,000 miles. That this is even less 
than the real truth, and may be defended as a 
very moderate computation, grounded upon rea- 
son, we have infallible demonstration to witness, 
and make appear as thus. 

We know from the nature of distance and 
motion that the Stars may have an annual pa- 
rallax, but it is so very small, that the very best 
Astronomers have never yet been able to assign 
what the quantity really is. Yet it is allowed 
by universal consent, that it can not possibly be 
more than one minute of a degree, and may pro- 
bably be much less. Mr. Flamstead, by re- 
peated observations, made it in some of them 
upwards of 40" ; but Mr. Bradley has endea- 
voured to prove it is every where too small to 
be determined, and assigns this angle to another 
cause. This way then we cannot make their 
distance less ; and to prove that it is something 
more than I have said it is, let us even increase 
the doubtful parallax of 40' to the most it pos- 
sibly can be, viz, to 60" or 1' ; and by the solu- 
tion of the triangle, we shall find that the nearest 
Star is 6875 times the radius of the Earth's or- 
bit from the Sun : and this though more than any 
other proportion makes them, is still undeniably 
less than the truth, which every mathematician 
will of course be convinced of; and even your- 
self must also believe it, when you are told, 
that the smaller the angle of parallax is, the 
farther the body is removed from us. By which 



124 LETTER VIII. 

rule, according to Mr. Flamsteatts observa- 
tions, the distance must be still greater : by the 
optical experiment of [27664 Radius's of the 
Orhis Magnus^ equal to the distance of Syrius 
whose parallax should be to answer it but 14'C 
48-".] My, Huygens^ greater still than this: 
and according to Mr. Bradley^ so much more 
as not even to be determined. 

Now if the rest are in general from each other, 
allowing the same extent of system, and as much 
to part the like extremes of active virtue, be in 
such proportion of aerial space, it will appear, 
that to pass from any one Star to another, we 
must fly through so vast a tract of pure expanse 
or ether, that to visit any one of the most neigh- 
bouring systems, could we travel even as fast 
as the swiftest eagle flies, for instance, 500 miles 
per day, yet should we be 3,000,000 of years upon 
our way before we could arrive there; and if 
continuing on to view the regions of the rest 
within the known creation, myriads of ages 
would be spent, and yet we could not hope to 
see the whole of but the smallest Constella- 
tion. 

But what idea of distance can you receive 
from this sort of estimation, where numbers 
arise so very high. I own to you mine are soon 
quite lost by this method of counting, either dis- 
tances or duration. I believe few people can 
range their ideas with such perspicuity, as to ar- 
rive at any adequate notion of any number 
above a thousand. 

To give you therefore a clearer idea of Dis- 
tance, and impress the proportions of space 
more strongly and fiiHy in your mind, let us sup- 
pose the body of the Sun, as I have said before, 
to be represented by the dome of St, PaiiVs ; 



LETTER VIII. 125 

in such proportion a spherical body eighteen 
inches diameter, moving at Mary- le- hone^ 
will justly represent the Earth, and another of 
five inches diameter, describing a circle of for- 
ty ^\e^ feet and a half radius round it, w^ill rep- 
resent the orbit and globe of the Moon. A body 
at the Tower of 9, 7 inches, will represent 
Mercury ; and one of 17,9 inches at St. James* 
palace will represent the Planet Venus ; Mars 
may be supposed at a distance, like that of 
Kensington or Greenwich^ 10 inches diame- 
ter : Jupiter^ imagined to be at Hampton-- 
Courts or Dartford in Kent ; and Saturn^ at 
Cliefden, or near Chelmsford: the first repre- 
sented by a globe 15 feet 4 inches diameter, the 
latter by one of 11 feet| and his ring four feet 
broad: these would all naturally represent the 
planetary bodies of our system in their proper 
orbits and proportional magnitudes, as moving 
round the cupola of St. PaiiVs^ as their com- 
mon centre the Sun. And preserving the same 
natural scale, the aphelion of the first Comet 
would be about Bary, the second at Bristol, 
and the third near the city of Edinbiirg, But 
if you will take into your Idea one of the near- 
est Stars ; instead of the dome of St. PauVs, 
you must suppose the Sun to be represented by 
the gilt ball upon the top of it, and then will an- 
other such upon the top of St. Peter^s at Rome 
represent one of the nearest Stars. 

The whole system exhibited in the above pro- 
portion, would be nearly as follows: 

Diameter of the Sun 145 Feet. 

Saturn 11,587, his ring 
27,54, its breadth 4. 

Jupiter^ 15,39. 



126 LETTER VIII, 

Mars. 10,15 inches, 

the Earth, 18,125. 

\enus^ 17,98 

Mercury^ 9,715 
and the Moon, 4,93 

Distance of Saturn from the Sun, 27 Miles, 
and 1700 Yards. 

Jupiter^ 15 Miles, and 458 Yards. 

Mars, 4 Miles, and 751 Yards, 

the Earth, 2 Miles, and 1632 Yards. 

Venus, 2 Miles, and 217 Yards. 

Mercury, I Mile, and 267 Yards, 

a nd of the Moon, from us 45 yards and a half. 
Of the Satellites of Saturn in the above 

27,96-) 

^^'^^ [ Feet distant from his 
114' I ^^"^^^' 
1341,9 J 

And those of Jupiter. 
I r 28,51 1 

s J 69,177 I Feet distant 
^] 110,224 ( from him. 
rl 190, J 
That of the most distant Comet 390, and the 
nearest of the Stars not less than 6875, radius's 
of the Orbis Magnus, 

Radius, or sign of 89 59 30 - - 10,0000000 
Sine substract of 30 - - 6,1626961 




Hence the distance 6875,5 - - 3,8373039 
Now, if like creations crowd the vast depths 
of infinity, and if each are adopted to receive 
beings of different natures, where must our won- 
ders and ideas have end? 



LETTER VIII. 127 

As it is evident in the sign Taurus^ in Per- 
seus^ and Orion, that we can plainly perceive 
Stars to the sixth and ninth magnitude, the for- 
mer with our naked eye, the other by the help 
of telescopes, the visional ocular creation cannot 
be less than 4,320,000,000,000 miles in semi 
diameter, and admitting a regular distribution 
of those primordial bodies amongst themselves, 
the depth, or most remote limits of the Vortex 
Magnus from side to side, cannot be less than 
8 m, m, 640 thousand of millions of miles, ad- 
mitting it is no more than what we see ; and 
lastly, supposing our system to be situated nearly 
in the middle of the Vortex Magnus (which 
from the visible order of the Stars, we may 
justly conjecture, with the highest probability of 
truth) the nearest distance of the Ens Primum, 
in the realms of eternal day, will rise to 
30,000,000,000,000, miles, but more probably to 
100,000,000,000,000 miles, making the confines 
of creation from verge to verge in the first case, 
upwards of 68 millions of millions of miles, diam- 
eter, and by the last above 200'. But, if we 
compute the distance of the Stars after the 
manner of Huygens, for his distance of Syrius 
from the Sun, the distance of the region of im- 
mortality without exceeding probability may 
rise to near 1,000,000,000,000,000 miles. 

Now to pass by any progressive motion from 
the outward verge, or borders of the creation, 
through the starry regions of mortality, if I may 
call them so, as far as the centre of the Ens 
Ptnmum, or Sedes Beatorum, according to 
Homer, or Milton"^ s manner of measuring 
space, a body falling, or a being moving with a 
velocity but of 1000 feet per minute, i, e. at the 
rate of 20,000 yards per hour^ or about 300 



128 LETTER VIII* 

miles per day, would be at least 300,000,000 
years upon its journey thither, if not 1,000, m, 
and perhaps much more, without offending pro- 
bility; but even three millions centuries or ages, 
sure is enough to be employed, in passing from 
one place to another; therefore, we may con- 
clude, the soul must have some other vehicle 
than can be found in the ideas of matter to con- 
vey it so far, at least at once. Hence we may 
truly infer, that the soul must be immaterial, 
and that in all probability there may be states 
in the Universe so much more longer lived than 
ours, that, compared with the age of man, the 
age of such beings may be almost as an eterni- 
ty, or rather, as that of the human species to 
that of a sun-born insect. 

Again, if there are still Stars beyond all these 
of other denominations, which we do not here 
perceive, how vastly must these numbers be in- 
creased, to express, almost without idea, the 
amazing whole of this one visible creation; but 
what has been already said, I judge will be suf- 
ficient to show the immensity of space, and help 
you to conceive the stupendious nature of an 
endless universe; every where the home pos- 
session, production, and instantaneous care, of 
an infinite good Being, perfectly wise, and pow- 
erful, of whom we can have no idea more, than 
a Being in dark privation can have of light, 
but through the lustre of his own resplendent 
attributes. 

Thus, having attempted to enlarge your ideas 
of the Creation in general, and in some measure 
having considered the indefinity of space, I 
shall in the next place proceed to give you 
some account of my notions of time. 

As distance is the measure of magnitude and 



LETTER VIII. 12S| 

of all extent, and helps our imagination to the 
ideas of space, so are progressive moments the 
measure of velocity, and make us sensible of 
duration : and as space may be extended through 
all infinity, so time may be continued as to eter- 
nity. This succession of temporal ideas im- 
pressed, or excited in the mind, as an effect of 
matter in motion, producing a perpetual change, 
both of objects earthly and celestial, enables us 
not only to reflect upon past vicissitudes of na- 
ture, but from their regular courses, known or- 
der and returns, predict Phsenomena to come, 
and prove the periodical effects of nature's con- 
stant laws so just as certain, that time may be 
said with truth, to co-exist with motion. 

Measure being a certain quantity of sensation 
interwoven with our ideas of distance and dura- 
tion, proceeding from a reflection of what is im- 
pressed upon the mind by some external object, 
I must again return to our mother of ideas the 
Earth, and from thence, as I did for distance, 
frame the original images best suited to the un- 
derstanding, proper for our judgment of dura- 
tion. 

Time takes its first denomination from the 
diurnal rotation of the Earth upon its axis, 
which we call a natural day, and this for obvi- 
ous reasons we subdivide in twenty-four parts or 
hours. This diurnal motion having been suc- 
cessively repeated, and the day renewed three 
hundred and sixty-five times, we find that all 
the vegetable world has gone through all its va- 
riegations, and nature has again put on the 
same face, adapted to the season ; during which 
time, and indeed which occasions this general 
change and repetition, the Earth is found to 
make one entire rovokition round the Sun. This 

17 



130 LETTER VIII, 

space, or period of time, we call a solar, or 
rather a natural year ; and from our sensibility 
of this, and its constituent parts, both horary 
and diurnal, we form our general judgment of 
duration. 

Saturn, the most remote, and most regular 
Planet in our system, as has been said before, 
performs one revolution round the Sun in about 
twenty-nine of the above solar years : the great 
Comet of 1680 makes but one periodical re- 
turn in five hundred and seventy-five of those 
years, and the general motion of the Stars, aris- 
ing from the procession of the equinoxes, al- 
together continually changing their aspect, or 
position, at the rate of 50' per year round the 
ecliptic poles, completes but one revolution in 
25920 years ; in which time the whole sidereal 
frame of Heaven has changed, and every Star 
returned to the same point of the solar sphere it 
set out from. This is by many called the great 
Saturnian year: concerning which, Mr. Ad- 
dison has thus translated an eminent Author. 

When round the great Saturnian year has turn'd. 
In their old ranks the wandering Stars shall stand. 
As when first marshall'd by the Almighty's hand. 

Addison. 

Now, if this sidereal revolution, arising from 
a secondary cause, require this number of years 
to perfect one rotation, what must their primi- 
tive orbits take to circumscribe the Vortex 
Magnus ? 

It has been observed, that the biggest Star to 
us scarcely moves a minute in an hundred years, 
and the most remote as insensibly for ages; from 
whence and what has been already said of the 



LETTER VIII. 131 

imagined distance of the general centre, we 
may frame this probable and well-grounded 
guess, that the mean revolution of a Star near 
the middle of the Vortex Magnus, cannot be 
made in less than a million of years, and though 
to us imperceptible, our Sun in his own orbicu- 
lar direction, may be moving many miles per 
day^ Besides, if local motion can be proved 
amongst the Stars, what less than an eternity 
can again restore them to their original order 
and primitive state. Such vast room in nature, 
as Milton finely expresses it, cannot be with- 
out its use ; and nothing but absolute demon- 
stration is wanting (which from their nature and 
distance cannot be expected) to confirm the 
grand design, so suited to the Deity's infinite 
capacity, and of eternal benefit to all his crea- 
tures, especially beings of a rational sense, and 
in particular mankind. 

Of these habitable worlds, such as the Earth, 
all which we may suppose to be of a terrestrial 
or terraqueous nature, and filled with beings of 
the human species, subject to mortality, it may 
not be amiss in this place to compute how ma- 
ny may be conceived within our finite view every 
clear Star-light night. It has already been 
made to appear, that there cannot possibly be less 
than 10,000,000 Suns, or Stars, within the radi- 
us of the visible creation ; and admitting them 
all to have each but an equal number of prima- 
ry Planets moving round them, it follows that 
there must be within the whole celestial area 
60,000,000 planetary worlds like ours. And if 
to these we add those of the secondary class, 
such as the Moon, which we may naturally sup- 
pose to attend particular primary ones, and eve- 
ry system more or less of them as well as here ; 



132 LETTER Vllt. 

such Satellites may amount in the whole pei*- 
haps to 100,000,000, or more, in all together 
then we may safely reckon 170,000,000, and yet 
be much within compass, exclusive of the Com- 
ets which I judge to be by far the most numer- 
ous part of the creation. 

In this great celestial creation, the catastro- 
phe of a world, such as ours, or even the to- 
tal dissolution of a system of Worlds, may pos- 
sibly be no more to the great author of nature, 
than the most common accident in life with u$, 
and in all probability such final and general 
doom-days may be as frequent there, as even 
birth-days, or mortality with us upon the Earth. 

This idea has something so cheerful in it, that 
I own I can never look upon the Stars without 
wondering why the whole world does not be- 
come Astronomers; and that men endowed with 
sense and reason, should neglect a science they 
are naturally so much interested in, and so ca- 
pable of enlarging the understanding, as next to 
a demonstration, must convince them of their 
immortality, and reconcile them to all those lit- 
tle difficulties incident to human nature, with- 
out the least anxiety. 

Such a prothesis can scarcely be called less 
than an ocular revelation, not only shewing us 
how reasonable it is to expect a future life, but 
as it were, pointing out to us the business of an 
eternity, and what we may with the greatest 
confidence expect from the eternal Providence, 
dignifying our natures with something analogous 
to the knowledge we attribute to angels ; from 
whence we ought to despise all the vicissitudes 
of adverse fortune, which make so many narrow- 
minded mortals miserable. 

I am now, ^c. 



LETTER IX. 133 



LETTER IX. 

Keflections by way of General Scolia of con-* 
sequences relating to the immortality of 
the soul and concerning infinity and eter^ 
nity, 

Sm, 

This my last letter to you, I mean my final 
astronomical one, I propose as a General 
Scolia to the rest, the principal matter being 
reflections upon what is gone before, with some 
conclusion naturally following or appendant to 
what has been already said ; but which, I could 
not in any other place, so properly remark to 
you. 

The probability of the foregoing conjectures, 
chiefly built upon very distant observations, shew 
an apparent necessity for some other kind of 
doctrine permitted hy Providence, to give man- 
kind a knowledge of their immortality and de- 
pendence upon it, in the first ages of the world. 

And for the same reason it evidently appears, 
that the ancient Philosophers had it not in their 
power to prove a supreme Being and director 
of all things this way. 

And yet, as by a sort of instinct, or natural 
reason, and consciousness of a good Principle^ 
we see how many noble steps they made towards 
it, and were convinced at last of this great 
Truths that since there was a Mind in so im- 
perfect a creature as man, the 'perfect Universe 



134 LETTER IX. 

which comprehended all things, could not pos- 
sibly be without one ; and as Sir Isaac Newton 
has justly observed in his Principia^ " If every 
particle of space be always^ and every indi- 
vidual moment of duration every where ; surely 
the Maker and Lord of all things, cannot be 
never and no where^ 

To make manifest the infinite empire and 
agency of God, from celestial motion, became 
the task, but of very late years ; and I can not 
help being of opinion, that by means of these 
primary bodies, only, we shall at length be able 
to trace the greater circulations, and laws of 
nature, to their real original and fountain head. 

These, were any thing wanting, besides the 
Miracle ourselves^ to convince us of a divine 
origination, are all infallible proofs, that the 
Universe is governed by an intelligent and all- 
powerful Being, whose existence is too nearly 
related to a self-evident truth to be more clear- 
ly demonstrated, than it is manifest of itself, both 
from the particular laws of nature, and the gene- 
ral order of things. An argument which has 
been thought of no small force, and well worth 
observing in the infancy of Christianity. The 
invisible things of God are clearly seen, be-- 
ing understood by the things that are made, 
even his eternal power and Godhead, Rom. 
i. 20. 

But it is now high time to look back upon my 
theory, and tell you it is a vain supposition, to 
imagine I shall ever be able to convince every 
reader, either of the truth or probability of what 
I have advanced to you: mathematical assist- 
ance not being to be expected, where per- 
haps it has never been thought of: and I allow 
you, it is much more reasonable to expect, that 



LETTER IX. 135 

fifty persons will read these letters without per- 
ceiving the reasonableness of them, than that 
five should consider them with proper judg- 
ment. 
I/. I I must ingeniously confess to you, that no- 

thing is wanting to convince me entirely of the 
certainty of what I here advance by way of 
conjecture to you. But this you must only look 
upon as an happy partiality, which generally 
attends all authors, and always will be the 
chief support of their tedious labours. I assure 
you, I have neither hopes nor expectations, no, 
not the weak breath of a wish, to be admitted 
a proper judge of my own works. But I shall 
always take their imperfection to be rather, 
(like my own faults) much too near me to be 
seen; I therefore trust to all my friends, and if 
I am so fortunate as to excite his approbation, 
I shall think myself very happy in a very fa- 
vourite point; which is, the advancing nothing 
which a rational reader would willingly over- 
look, or be ignorant of. 

But if I have been so happy as to come so 
near the mark, as to border upon the truth, I 
believe you will allow me to carry my conjec- 
tures a little further, and point out some farther 
pleasing consequences, which I begin to per- 
ceive may naturally follow. 

Should it be granted, that the creation may 
be circular or orbicular, I would next suppose, 
in the general centre of the whole an inteUigent 
principle, from whence proceeds that mystic and 
paternal power, productive of all life, light, and 
the infinity. 

Here the to-all extending eye of Providence, 
within the sphere of its activity, and as omni- 
presently presiding, seated in the centre of in- 



136 LETTER IX. 

finity, I would imagine views all the objects of 
his power at once, and every thing immediately 
direct, dispensing instantaneously its enlivening 
influence, to the remotest regions every where 
all round. I know you will say Astronomers are 
never to be satisfied, and I must own where 
there is so much rational entertainment for the 
human mind, and so suitable to the true dignity 
of God, and most worthy of man, it is not easy 
to know where to stop in such a scene of won- 
ders. 

Having, I say, once granted that all the Stars 
may move round one common centre, I think it 
is very natural to one, who loves to pursue na- 
ture as far as we may, to enquire what most 
likely may be in that centre ; for since we must 
allow it to be far superior to any other point of 
situation in the known Universe, it is highly 
probable, there may be some one body of siderial 
or earthy substance seated there, where the di- 
vine presence, or some corporeal agent, full of 
all virtues and perfections, more immediately 
presides over his own creation. And here this 
primary agent of the omnipotent and eternal Be- 
ing, may sit enthroned, as in the Primiim Mo- 
bile of nature, acting in concert with the eternal 
will. To this common centre of gravitation, 
which may be supposed to attract all virtues, 
and repel all vice, all beings as to perfection 
may tend; and from hence all bodies first de- 
rive their spring of action, and are directed in 
their various motions. 

Thus in the Focus^ or centre of creation, I 
would willingly introduce a primitive fountain, 
perpetually overflowing with divine grace from 
whence all the laws of nature have their origin, 
and this I think would reduce the whole Uni- 



LETTER IX. '137 

verse into regular order and just harmony, and 
at the same time, enlarge our ideas of the di- 
vine indulgence, open our prospect into nature's 
fair Vineyard, the vast field of all our future 
inheritance. 

But what this central body really is, I shall 
not here presume to say, yet I can not help observ- 
ing it must of necessity, if the creation is real 
and not merely ideal, be either a globe of fire 
superior to the Sun, or otherwise a vast terra- 
queous or terrestrial sphere, surrounded with an 
JEther like our Earth, but more refined, trans- 
parent and serene. Which of these is most 
probably, I shall leave undetermined, and must 
acknowledge at the same time, my notions here 
are so imperfect, I hardly dare conjecture. It is 
true, I have ventured to think it may be one of 
these, and since so glorious a situation can 
hardly be supposed without its proper inhabi- 
tants, 'tis most natural to conclude it may be 
the latter. In the first case, besides our having 
no idea of Beings existing in fire, it would 
not, notwithstanding its distance, be so easy to 
account for its being invisible ; and since the 
lustre of the Stars are all innate, they could re- 
ceive no benefit from it, and consequently such 
a nature as a solar composition, must in this 
place be rendered useless ; but in the latter sup- 
position of its being a dark body, we have no 
difficulty attending us, having several instances 
of like bodies, moving round an opaque one. 
Now when we consider, that all those radiant 
globes, which adorn the skies, those bright aethe- 
rial sparks of elemental fire, thick strewed like 
seeds of light all round our hemisphere, are each 
to us the embrio of a glorious Sun; how awful 
18 



138 LETTER IX. 

and stupendous must that region be, where all 
their beams unite and make one inconceiva- 
ble eternal day? 

" Though the Deity, (says a learned writer) 
be essentially present through all the immen- 
sity of space, there is one part of it in which he 
discovered himself in a most transcendent and 
visible glory. This is that place which is mark- 
ed out in Scripture, under the different appella- 
tions of Paradise; the third Heaven; the 
Throne of God, and the habitation of his Glo- 

This continues the same Author, is " that 
presence of God, which some of the divines 
call his glorious, and other his majestic pre- 
sence." 

It is here, and here only, as in the centre of 
his infinite creations, where he resides in a sen- 
sible magnificence, and in the midst of those 
splendors, which can effect the imagination of 
his creatures; and though the most sacred and 
supreme divinity be allowed assentially present 
in all other places as well in this, as being a 
Being whose centre is every where, and circum- 
ference no where ; yet it is here only, or in such 
sensor ium of his unity, where he manifests his 
corporeal agency, as in the Focus of his infinite 
empire over all created beings. It is to this ma- 
jestic presence of God, we may apply those 
beautiful expressions of Scripture, ''^Behold 
even to the Moon and it shineth not ; yea the 
Stars are not pure in his sight.^^ 

" The light of the Sun, and all the glories of 
the world, on which we live, are but as weak 
and sickly glimmerings, or rather darkness it- 



LETTER IX. 139 

self, in comparison of those splendors, which 
encompass this throne of God." 

Here Heavens wide realms an endless scene displays. 

And floods of glory through its portals blaze ; 

The Sun himself lost in superior light, 

No more renews the day, or drives away the night : 

The Moon, the Stars, and Planets disappear, 

And nature fix'd make one eternal year. 

Here and here alone centered in the realms 
of inexpresable glory, we justly may imagine 
that primogenial globe or sphere of all perfec- 
tions, subject to extremes of neither cold nor 
heat, of eternal temperance and duration. Here 
we may not irrationally suppose the virtues of 
the meritorious are at last rewarded and re- 
ceived into the full possession of every happi- 
ness, and to perfect joy. The final and im- 
mortal state ordained for such human beings, 
as have passed this vortex of probation through 
all the degrees of human nature with the su- 
pleme applause. 

What vast room is here, for infinite power 
and wisdom to act in, and that so visibly takes 
delight to bless all his Beings with his bounty. 
And endless as his prescience, attributes, and 
goodness, are undoubtedly all those natural and 
apparent joys with which he manifests his love 
to all his creatures, a multiplicity of objects not 
to be enumerated. For wheresoever we turn 
our eyes, and follow with our reason, we may 
meet with worlds of all formations, suited no 
doubt to all natures, tastes, and tempers, and 
every class of Beings. 

Here a group of worlds, all vallies, lakes^ and 
rivers^ adorned with mountains, woods, and 



140 LETTER IX. 

lawns, cascades and natural fountains ; here 
worlds all fertile Islands, covered with woods, 
perhaps upon a common Sea, and filled with 
grottoes and romantic caves. This way, worlds 
all Earth, with vast extensive lawns and vistoes, 
bounded with perpetual greens, and interspersed 
with groves and wildernesses, full of all varieties 
of fruits and flowers. That world subsisting 
perhaps by soft rains, this by daily dews, and 
vapours ; and a third l3y a central, subtile mois- 
ture, arising like an effluvia, through the pores 
and veins of the Earth, and exhaling or absorb- 
ing as their seasons vary to answer nature's 
calls. Round some perhaps, so dense an at- 
mosphere, that the inhabitants may fly from 
place to place, or be drawn through the air in 
winged chariots, and even sleep upon the waves 
with safety ; round others possibly, so thin a fluid 
that the arts of navigation may be totally un- 
known to it, and looked upon as impracticable 
and absurd, as chariot flying may be here with 
us ; and some where not improbably, superior 
Beings to the human, may reside, and man may 
be of a very inferior class ; the second, third, or 
fourth perhaps, and scarcely allowed to be a ra- 
tional creature. Worlds, with various Moons 
we know of already; worlds, with Stars and 
Comets only, we equally can prove to be very pro- 
bable ; and that there may be worlds with va- 
rious Suns, is not impossible. And hence it is 
obvious, that there may not be a scene of joy, 
which poetry can paint, or religion promise ; 
but somewhere in the Universe it is prepared for 
the meritorious part of mankind. Thus all in- 
finity is full of states of bliss ; angelic choirs, 
regions of heroes, and realms of demi-gods ; 
elysian fields, pindaric shades, and myriads of 



LETTER IX. 141 

enchanting mansions, not to be conceived either 
by philosophy or fancy, assisted by the strongest 
genius and warmest imagination. 

All harmoniously crowded and provided with 
every object of Beatitude, that friendship, love, 
or society can inspire, the muses or the graces 
frame ; and all so permanent and perfect, that 
is destined to a duration, suited to the nature of 
their existence and degree of cognisance ; for 
as a very learned writer observes upon this same 
subject. 

"How can we tell, but that there may be 
above us Beings of greater powers, and more 
perfect intellects, and capable of mighty things, 
which yet may have corporeal vehicles as we 
have, but finer and invisible ? Nay, who knows, 
but that there may be even of these many or- 
ders^ rising in dignity of nature, and amplitude 
of power, one above another ? It is no way be- 
low the philosophy of these times, which seems 
to delight in enlarging the capacities of matter, 
to assert the possibility of this." 

From these amazing ideas of space in general 
and from the particular distance of the Stars, 
which separates as it were, one system of bodies 
from another, and by so prodigious an extent, 
as scarce to be supposed a temporal task. I 
think it naturally follows, that had we no other 
way to prove it, or any other reason to believe it, 
that the soul must of necessity be immaterial ; 
for as this space seems so impassible to matter, 
as not to be undertaken and performed without 
the loss of ages, in a state only of transmigra- 
tion, we may well imagine, that change of 
place is not effected this way, but by some other 
virtue or property, more immediate, if not in- 
stantaneous. 



142 LETTER IX. 

I own next to Annihilatiofi is the state of ob- 
livion, and this way we may solve all difficul- 
ties with rei^ard to our being sensible of such a 
loss of existence ; but if we allow the soul to be 
immaterial, it no longer has any thing to do 
with space, but as operating by reflection only, 
or the faculty of thinking: it may be hke the 
imagination where it pleases in a moment. 

Objects of the mind abstracted from the sen- 
ses of the body, have no real or comparative 
magnitude ; that is, I would say, an inch, a foot, 
a yard, a mile, or a million of miles are all 
equally indefinite,which is thus proved ; every fi- 
nite line is formed of an infinite number of 
points, and no finite line can be solved into more. 
Thus if you will allow me the expression, the 
mind being magnified as all objects are dimin- 
ished, what seems impracticable in the natural 
state of things, in an ideal one, becomes very 
possible; that is, to make myself more intelligi- 
ble, though we can hardly conceive, how any 
being can pass from Si/rius to the Sun, by natu- 
ral laws in their proper state, yet if proportion- 
ally reduced by a new modification of ideas, to 
the bigness of a ball G feet diameter, and to be 
only 680 miles asunder ; the thing is very com- 
prehensive and easy. 

Hence vision, light, and Electrical virtue, 
seem to be propagated with such velocity, 
that nothing but God can possibly be the vehi- 
cle; and hence we may justly say with St. 
Paid Acts xvii, 28. In Mm ice live, in him we 
move, in him we have our being. 

It will further appear, from the foregoing let- 
ters, that all the Stars and planetary bodies 
within the finite view, are altogether but a very 
minute part of the whole rational creation; I 



LETTER IX. 143 

mean that vast collective body of habitable be- 
ings, which I have endeavoured to demon- 
strate, are all governed by the same laws, tho' 
variously revolving round one common centre, 
in which centre we may not impertinently ven- 
ture to suppose the prime agent of our natures ; 
or otherwise, the most perfect of all created 
beings, illimitable in his ideas and faculties of 
sensation, particularly preside. 

But though past all diffused, without a shore 
His essence ; local is his throne, (as meet) 
To gather the disperst, (as standards call 
The lifted from afar) to fix a point ; 
A central point, collective of his Suns, 
Since finite ev'ry nature, but his own. 

Dr. Youing. 

And farther since without any impiety ; since 

as the creation is, so is the Creator also magni- 
fied, we may conclude in consequence of an in- 
finity, and an infinite all-active power ; that is 
the visible creation is supposed to be full of si- 
derial systems and planetay worlds, so on, in 
like similar manner, the endless immensity is an 
unlimited plenum of creations not unlike the 
known Universe. See Plate XXXI. which you 
may if you please, call a partial view of immen- 
sity, or without much impropriety perhaps, a 
finite view of infinity, and all these together, 
probably diversified ; as at A, B and C. in Plate 
XXXII. which represents their sections, if all 
maybe a proper term for an infinite or indefinite 
number, we may justly imagine to be the object 
of that incomprehensible Being, which alone 
and in himself comprehends and constitutes su- 
preme perfection. 



144 LETTER IX. 

That this in all probability may be the real 
case, is in some degree made evident by the 
many cloudy spots, just perceivable by us, as far 
w^ithout our starry regions, in which though vis- 
ible luminous spaces, no one Star or particular 
constituent body can possibly be distinguished ; 
those in all likelihood may be external creation, 
bordering upon the known one, too remote for 
even our Telescopes to reach. 

With the raptured poet may we not justly say, 

O what a Root ! O what a Branch is here! 
O what a Father ! what a Family ! 
Worlds ! Systems ! and Creations ! 

And in consequence of this 

In an eternity, what scenes shall strike 1 
Adventures thicken ? Novelties surprise 1 
What webs of wonder shall unravel there ? 

Night Thoughts. 

So many varied seats where every element 
may have its proper Beings and all adapted to 
partake of every thing suited to their natures, 
argue such maturity of wisdom, and the vast 
production such mysterious power ; it is hardly 
possible for mortals not to see divine intelligence 
preside, and that every Being somewhere must 
be happy. 

A Universe so well designed, and filled with 
such an endless structure of material Beings, and 
all the result of prescience and infinite reflected 
reason, flowing from a mind all perfect, full of 
all ideas, could never be designed in vain ; and 
though our narrow bounds of reason limited, by 
finite senses, cannot directly see the consequence 



LETTER IX. 145 

dependant on a sequel, yet from what we do see 
we have great room to hope the next stage of 
existence will be more lasting and more perfect ; 
and it is highly probable, the noblest suggestion 
of the most luxuriant fancy may fall infinitely 
short of what we are designed for. 

But here, even in this world, are joys which 
our ideas of Heaven can scarce exceed, and if 
imperfection appears thus lovely, what must per- 
fection be, and what may we not expect and 
hope for, by a meritorious acquiescence in Pro- 
vidence, under the direction, indulgence, and 
protection of infinite wisdom and goodness, who 
manifestly designs perfect felicity, as the re- 
ward of virtue for all his creatures, and w^ill at 
proper periods answer all our wishes in some 
predestined world. 

All this the vast apparent provision in the 
starry mansions, seems to promise. What 
ought we then not to do, to preserve our natu- 
ral birthright to it and to merit such inheritance; 
which alas we think created all to gratify alone, 
a race of vain-glorious gigantic beings, while 
they are confined to this world, chained like so 
many atoms to a grain of sand. 

THE END. 



19 



Notes, 147 



IVOTE8 BY PROF, RAFII^ESQ^IJE, 

Notes to Letter I. — Our Author at the out- 
set of his Letters, begins to unfold the vast theo- 
ry he has in view, upon the Infinite Creation, 
of Suns and Worlds ; which he gradually ex- 
plains in his other Letters, until he fully reveals 
the whole in his last. In this he chiefly quotes 
the various Authors who have entertained sim- 
ilar opinions, such as Bruno, Toland, Huygens 
Newton, Derham, Young, Milton &c. to whom, 
he might have added many other s. 

This sublime view of the Universe has ever 
since been confirmed by Astronomers, and later- 
ly enlarged upon by Lambert and Herschell ; 
but it is studiously kept out of view by the 
schoolmen and theologians, who would confine 
our vision and paltry aims to this Earth or a sin- 
gle invisible Heaven, the ultimate home of good 
men : while every celestial thought and expan- 
sive vision points to many Heavens, plainly allu- 
ded to in the Gospel by the many Mansions in 
the kingdom of Heaven. 

Notes to Letter II. — Here the various de- 
grees of probability and certainty by demonstra- 
tions and analogies, are very plainly stated ; 
whereby we acquire all the needful notions of 
remote objects. Mathematical certainty is now 
become the base of our celestial knowledge, an, 
evidence ofi;en preferable to ocular vision; which 
is proved by the various absurd notions formed 
of the visible Universe by the ancient Astrono- 
mers, before the use of the telescope. He might 
have added to his long enumeration, the opin- 



148 



NOTES. 



ions of the Oriental and Asiatic Nations on the 
many successive Heavens, equally absurd how- 
ever, and all based on an incorrect notion of a 
finite Universe, often deemed similar to an egg, 
beyond which no one had attempted to soar 
even in idea ; many do the same to this very day 
with us, and have the most limited and narrow 
views of our Universe ; whereby they limit and 
confine the Divine Creation to this paltry Sphere, 
or. a few Worlds besides at the most. 

Notes to Letter III. — In this account of 
Planets, Uranus since discovered by Herschell 
is of course omitted, as well as the small planets 
Ceres, Pallas, Vesta and Juno, which are further 
anomalies of our Solar system; Uranus by his 
Moons revolving in a contrary direction to all 
planets, which proves that at this confine of our 
Solar system, some different influential agency 
is operating: while the Asteroids or small Plan- 
ets are excentric to the Ecliptic, and therefore 
obey a different law of motion also. 

The surmise of our Author that the areas of 
the Comets in their parabolical Orbits are ma- 
thematical Equations, is a new thought, worthy 
to be inquired into and demonstrated, or else 
disproved : which we believe has not yet been 
done nor attempted, as we do not find the sub- 
ject alluded to elsewhere. 

Notes to Letter IV. — The various surmises 
about the nature of the Sun and Stars, only 
evince how little we know of them. But we 
may confidently believe that they are similar, 
although probably greatly diversified in sizes, 
motions, lights, attendant planets and Comets 
&.C. This is clearly proved by our Author : he 
however inclines to believe them all blazing bo- 
dies like oiH- Sun. Of this many Astronomers 



NOTES. 149 

now entertain great doubts: Herschell suppo- 
ses them all solid bodies with a lucid atmos- 
phere. If the atmosphere of the Sun was the 
condensed Electric fluid, the apparent firy na- 
ture of it would be explained. Many other facts 
lead us to this conclusion, and I am inclined 
with many worthy late Philosophers to deem 
the Solar atmosphere the great magazine or sup- 
ply of Electric fluid. Woodward an American 
philosopher wrote in that belief, Charles Weth- 
erill will still more prove it. 

An opinion of my own on the Solar spots 
stated long ago, and never disproved, is that the 
Solar Spots are Solar Clouds in this Electric 
Atmosphere, formed and changing as our Clouds 
do in our Aerial Atmosphere, by the emanation 
from the solid Solar body, which we never see, 
but must be replete with wonders. 

The opinion of Herschell deeming them open- 
ings in this atmosphere, showing the Solar sur- 
face in a dark aspect, has always appeared to 
me preposterous, because such openings could 
only be formed by expansive controling gaze- 
ous emanations, which are in fact the dark va- 
pors or clouds, which we call spots. 

Our mental knowledge of the Sun appears as 
much the scope and theme of poetry, than of 
demonstrated evidence : wherefore I might just- 
ly say in my late Poem. 

Upon the Sun the solar light condensed, 

Is bathing Solar Angels dwelling there. 

This Orb, with glorious lucid atmosphere. 

Is not a ball of fire as many thought ; 

But splendid globe, a golden land with streams 

And Seas of liquid pearls, with mountains high 



150 NOTES. 

Of lofty gems and crystals shining forth. 
Etherial fluids the ambient air comprise, 
While light itself the whole surrounds, adorning: 
There Iris clouds arise, by us as Spots 
Perceived » . 

The World p. 34. Ill Universe. 

Notes to Letter V. — Long before I had a 
knowledge of our Author's opinion on the Ga- 
laxy, my thoughts coincided with his, and I had 
in my own mind conceived this vast assemblage 
of Stars, to be a starry cloud or System of a len- 
ticular shape, revolving on its axis by the edges. 
These surmises or rather mental flights to the 
Celestial regions, are confirmed by Modern As- 
tronomers. Herschell deems our Galaxy or 
starry system one of the Nebulas of the Sky, of 
which many exist visible and many more invisi- 
ble in space, so as to prove that Stars are not 
only countless, but even their Nebulous Galax- 
ies quite innumerable also. We lack as yet a 
proper familiar account of the modern discove- 
ries in the Celestial regions, as to Double Stars, 
Combined Stars, and Nebular Stars, with Star- 
ry Galaxies. Whatever we know is as yet too 
much [involved in mathematical and astronomi- 
cal Lore, to be generally known and taught. 
The account of our Author is by far plainer and 
more explicit, although not so particular in de- 
tails, and it leads direct to the myriads of celes- 
tial mansions provided by the Supreme Being 
for all his Angels and Creatures, whereof men 
are but a very small and humble portion. 

It is doubtful whether the Cometic and Nebu- 
lous matter are identic as Herschell surmises. 
The Cometic matter is now known to shine by 
mere Solar reflection Hke the Planets ; but the 



NOTES. 151 

Nebular Systems must have a light of their own ; 
how could they even shine as white clouds at 
their amazing distance from us, unless a starry 
cloud, rather than a nebulous cloud ? 

Note to Letter Vl.^Our Author here very 
properly explains that the account of Creation 
in the Genesis of Moses was meant to support 
his divine legation and speak to the senses of 
his ignorant hearers. Although it is not incom- 
patible with this expansive view of the Universe, 
it only applied to this paltry Earth chiefly. 
This ought to be kept in mind by our theologi- 
ans and Sectarians, but it is their great stum- 
bling block. They are at open war with learn- 
ed Geologists and Astronomers, because they 
entertain very narrow views of this Earth and 
Universe, based upon the incorrect, nay often 
FALSE English translation of the sublime He- 
brew writers Moses, Job, David, Isaiah, Solo- 
mon &.C. 

Until these petty Sectarians become more 
learned in Hebrew, Oriental Lore and modern 
Sciences, they must of course confine their ideas 
to this Earth, as a world of probation, and two 
other Worlds somewhere else (but where ?), one 
of Bliss called Heaven, another of Woe called 
Hell, besides a fourth of repentance called Pur- 
gatory by the Catholics. — While the superior 
minds and visions will find the whole Universe 
filled with Worlds, Stars and Heavens, to suit 
every taste, every wish, every Religion. 

The remarks of our Author upon the motion 
of the Sun and Stars, are very striking. He has 
proved evidently that they move and unequally, 
so as to change their respective situation, slow- 
ly after ages ; although their velocity may be ut- 
terly amazing if ever calculated. His astrono- 



152 ISOTES. 

mical plans of the Pleiades and Per sides Con- 
stellations as they stood in 1747, are two great 
Elements for future calculations, for which we 
are indebted to him, and we advise Astro- 
nomers to revise them in 1847, so as to per- 
ceive and fix the changes of position and paral- 
lax of those Stars in 100 years, which will give 
their relative velocity if nothing more. 

Notes to Letter VII. — In this we have the 
full application of the theory to our Galaxy, and 
the probable consequence is evolved that it re- 
volves around a huge opaque central body not 
lucid and thus invisible, somewhat like the rings 
of Saturn revolve around that Planet: the sur^- 
mise of Wright that this ring was an agrega- 
tion of little moons, was a forethought, now con- 
firmed or believed by many modern Astrono- 
mers. 

It was upon this theory of Central Bodies 
that Lambert has since framed his Hypothesis 
of the Universe, wherein having come to the 
same conclusion (whether after reading Wright 
I know not) he expanded his Celestial thoughts 
to the utmost verge of alternate circulation of 
Celestial Bodies ; these obscure central Bodies, 
to whom he gave no names ; but which I have 
ventured to call SIDERES, being deemed also 
numberless and circulating around immense Si- 
dereal lucid Suns, so far removed from us as 
to be hardly perceptible, and these again around 
other larger opaque Sideres. 

This System it will be perceived is but little 
different from that of Wright, who merely ex- 
tends his celestial thoughts to Galaxial systems 
and Providential Systems of Galaxial Sideres. 
They both exceed the conception of Herschell 
who has not ventured beyond the visible Heav- 



NOTES. 153 

ens, and Nebular Systems. But human Vision 
is certainly not the boundary of existence in the 
Infinity of Space and Creations. 

Notes to Letter VIII.. — Time and Space, 
with their expansion into Eternity and Infinity 
are such abstruse subjects, as to perplex the 
most lofty minds, and are incomprehensible to 
many narrow minds : yet our Author has here 
made these subjects as plain as they can well be. 
Nevertheless Measure, Velocity, Duration, and 
Distance when carried to the ultimate numbers 
we can put together, become very difficult to 
comprehend, unless we admit the proper men- 
tal abstraction of changing a high number into 
a new unit, whereby we acquire a new starting 
point to dwell or reckon upon. 
. The Author has used here the new terms of 
Vortex magnus^ Ens primuni^ Sedes Beato- 
rum i^c, for Celestial Central Focus or Foci; 
but without any very definite idea or explana- 
tion. It would indeed be hard for us mortal 
men, to define and explain what is beyond our 
Vision, and only accessible to the mental Sight 
of superior minds, guided by analogy and plausi- 
bility only, instead of Sensual Evidence. But 
although untangible by our Material Senses, 
these Invisible Creations being apparent to the 
virtual range of our mind, most certainly exist, 
like Infinity and Eternity, that although incom- 
prehensible, are not denyed. 

The range of the visible Universe is sufficient- 
ly expansive and amazing, to enlarge our ideas 
of what may be concealed beyond the scope of 
vision, and as we are certain that a vast num- 
ber of Planets and opaque Worlds are totally 
invisible even within this range, it is not only 
probable, but almost certain that others may ex- 

20 



154 NOTE^. 

ist of different shapes and purposes within the 
visible Universe, besides those that are beyond 
it: none but the lucid Worlds and Stars being 
revealed to our ocular sight : w^hile superior Be- 
ings endow^ed with a keener sight may from 
other Worlds dive deeper into space, and per- 
ceive the wonders hidden to our eyes. 

Notes to Letter IX. — The Angelic reli- 
gion. This conclusion of the whole work and re- 
flections on the results, are of a character beyond 
praise ! They breathe the purest divine Doc- 
trines, they lead us as it were to the throne of 
God. This may be called TRUE RELIGION, 
the reflected Rays of GOD acting on a worthy 
mind, a real natural Revelation, that by the 
visible Creation leads us to the Invisible things 
OF God as inculcated in the quoted Epistle to the 
Romans. 

Here the worthy Author introduces a PH- 
mum Mobile (first moving power) as the Focus 
or centre of Gravitation and Creation, a primi- 
tive paternal fountain of life and grace, the 
THRONE OF GOD, where HE the father of 
all is enshrined in ineffable Glory and Love. 
Thence worlds and beings, angels and men, 
emanate at his call. Around this throne are 
scattered in regular but varied spherical order, 
the various concentric Systems of Sidereal 
Worlds, Galaxies of Starry Suns, and as many 
HEAYENS innumerable, seats of bliss and be- 
atitude for all the beings, deserving this fate and 
reward. 

The attempted description of some of these 
Worlds and Paradises, Suns and Heavens is 
sublime and enchanting. Although our words 
and conceptions must be faint and inadequate 
to express the beauty, loveliness, happiness and 
bliss of these Realms of Divine light, yet we 



NOTES. 155 

are led to conceive of every possible variety of 
form and attraction in these Celestial mansions 
prepared for Angels and worthy men. 

Some ideas of this celestial Sage are really 
overwhelming, and never before unfolded, nay 
hardly dreamed of even by the warmest imagi- 
nation. We see revealed by him Worlds of 
bliss, where Beings fly through the dense atmos- 
phere, as birds do in our Aerial one, or we con- 
ceive Angels may — where they and WE ALSO 
may assume every variety of lovely shapes, the 
agency of GOD himself being the vehicle that 
carries there our immortal souls, through unfath- 
omable Space and Time, in the lapse of a mo- 
ment, to be happy forever. 

Is not this TRUE Religion ? the Religion of 
GOD and his Angels, instead of our paltry con- 
tending terrestrial Sects. Yes — it is the Reli- 
gion OF God revealed in his works, in those In- 
visible Heavens of Bliss, which our Souls crave 
for and will attain in due time — It is the Reli- 
gion of HIS Angels, the belief of the immortal 
Beings that swim or soar in solar or divine 
Etherial Light, and dwell in Heavenly worlds 
of bliss. 

But not satisfied with this holy picture, the 
expanding mind of our Sage, has even surmised 
that there may be many SUCH THRONES 
of GOD, many such Centers of his Paternal 
power and care, surrounded by diversified Sys- 
tems of concentric Galaxies, and Emanations 
of Power. We must be lost in astonishment at 
such Divine wisdom exerted in Infinity and 
Eternity. Yet he has attempted to give a rep- 
resentation of his conceptions in plate 31 and 
32 (in plate 32 the central Divine Seats are 
represented by an Eye, and the concentric Sys- 



156 



NOTES. 



terns by zones of rays) wherein we may form 
some idea of infinity, by the reduction of it to a 
fragment of Immensity. Whoever is not con- 
vinced by these reasonable deductions must be 
born to creep on Earth only, and as being una- 
ble to rise to the Eternal God of Ineinity, 
is quite unfit for an angelic station. 

Let us bless this worthy messenger of God or 
human Angel that has revealed the true Heav- 
ens. His religion was the religion of AN- 
GELS, such is mine. When the Angelic Re- 
ligion shall again prevail on our sinful Earth, 
mankind will be not only wiser, but happier ; ful- 
filing the WILL of GOD in peace and love, un- 
til translated to higher bliss in these Heavenly 
mansions. 

We bow to this Religion holy pure ! 
Boon of God's love for us, and father care, 
Given to men to lead their steps to heaven, 
And happiness, thro' deeds of love and peace. 

Lovel}^, unearthly, kind Religion, hail ! 
That Angels make of men upon this globe; 
Yet few on Earth have ever been so pure 
As to deserve translation to the bliss 
Of Heaven's joys at once without new trials. 
And better lives in better worlds performed. 



Blessed are these (^Ihe human Jlvgels) 
And pious Sons of God, whom he delights 
To look upon with smiling eyes, and seeks 
So far away on Enrth, for his to own 
When death may bring iheir spirits back to him 
In mantles bright arrayed of purity 
And loving charity, in nearer worlds. 



NOTES 157 

Or by his side, in heav'nly light he bids 
Them live again, for happier joys and love 
In endless bliss, where evil is unknown. 
[^Fragmen^s of the Poem on the Instability of the Wor.d'] 

Lastly, the whole aim of this egregious and 
religious work, may be resumed as in the 
first letter — ^to induce Men to act justly, live 

CHEERFULLY, AND DIE FULL OF HoPE, in the 

expectation of a happy sequel, in Futurity — This 
is in fact the aim of all Religions, all emanations 
from the human minds seeking their God, all 
approved by him on Earth, as he approves the 
religious feelings of the miUions of beings dwell- 
ing in millions of other Worlds, seeking him to 
the best of their abihty, and fulfiling his will in 
the best way they can. 

That there was once on Earth Angels and 
Sons of God following this Angelic Religion, is 
inculcated in many holy books; that many an- 
geHc men have hved on Earth since, is admit- 
ted by all religions; that the true Angelic Re- 
ligion may be restored on Earth as yet, is not 
impossible, in spite of the crowd of human Devils 
now here — That it is to be wished, and good 
men may attempt to become Angels by know- 
ledge, virtue and good deeds, is both desirable 
and practicable. Amen. 

Addition. 

The immortality of the Soul is beautifully in- 
culcated, explained and proved in many of these 
Letters of Wright; but no where so forcibly 
than in the last, when he conveys the most sub- 
lime idea of its future state, and final happy re- 
ward. He no where speaks of Worlds of Woe 



158 NOTES. 

for the unhappy criminal souls, because an an- 
gehc mind Hke his dehghts to dwell on ultimate 
good, and not on temporary evil. 

The Angelic Religion is then the Religion 
of the Angels of the Heavens, and the happy 
Beings of all the Worlds. It was the Religion 
of the primitive Human Angels or Sons of God, 
the early Patriarchs, the Wise and Good of all 
ages delighting in good deeds. It was the Re- 
ligion brought on Earth by the Angelic Son of 
God, Jesus of Nazareth, but since perverted 
by the Passions, Crimes and Superstitions of bad 
men. It is to be the ultimate ReHgion of the 
Earth and all the Heavens ! 

But few w ords are required to explain its ho- 
ly tenets. 

do good to all, and harm to none. 

Peace on Earth, and good will to all beings. 

Love God and the whole of mankind, 

Seek the heavens, and they will be found. 

Hope for the best, and let the will of God Be done. 

Whoever does this on Earth, may become a 
human Angel, and afterwards a real Angel else- 
where in one of the countless Heavens, after 
the terrestrial trials. 

Ascend on wings of Love by steps of glory, 
To better worlds of bliss awaiting thee. 

To those celestial Homes 

Beyond the Starry domes, 

Appointed by GOD'S will 

For Souls and Angels pure 

To dwell, his laws fulfil 

In Love divine secure. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

To the American public - - - - page 1 
Preface of the American Editor - - - 4 

Preface of the Author -9 

Letter I. Opinions of the most eminent 

Authors - 17 

Letter II. Nature of certainty and proba- 

biHty ........ 28 

Letter III. Nature, magnitude and motion 

of the planets 41 

Letter IV. On the Sun and Stars - - - 55 
Letter V. The Stars, the Galaxy and the 

visible creation, ----- 70 
Letter VI. Motion of the Stars and innu- 
merable Worlds, - - - - 88 
Letter VII. On the finite Sidereal Crea- 
tion 103 

Letter VIII. Of time and Space, immen- 
sity and duration, - - - 116 
Letter IX. General consequences, the im- 
mortality of the Soul, Infinity 
and Eternity ----- 133 
Notes of the American Editor, - - - 146 
The Religion of Angels, or notes on the 

last Letter, 154 



ERRATA. 

Frontispiece — for Stormy clouds read — Starry clouds. 

page 3 line. 8 — for degmas read — dogmas. 

page 5 line 25 — for j? early read — As early. 

page 1 29 — last line for Rovolution read — Revolution. 

page 138 — 1. 22 for a55e7j/ifl% read Essentially. 



I'A AiiA,li * AAAiMMfeiliAii AA AA^ 



THE 



UNIVERSE 



AND THE 



OR THEORY OF THE VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE 



CREATION, 



BY THOMAS WRIGHT. 



WITH NOTES BY PROF. RAFINESftTJE. 



FIRST AMERICAN EDITION. 




NOTICE. 



Another work supplemental to this will soon 
be printed for Charles Wetherill, on the Elec- 
tric theory of the solar system, with enquiries 
on the philosophy of motion and pressure, as ex- 
erted around the Earth and Planets: with ma- 
ny plates. 

Some late Works of Prof. Rafinesque. 

Life of travels and researches one volume 
12mo. 

The World or Instability, a poem with notes. 
One volume octavo. 1836. 

The American Nations before Columbus. 
Two volumes published 12mo. 1836. 

Flora Telluriana or New Botany of the whole 
Earth. Two parts pubHshed octavo. 1837. 

Safe Banking, and the principles of wealth. 
One volume duodecimo. 1837. 



28 i34fi 



